Tony Clark has left the Diamondbacks, but he has not left the NL West.
Clark, a native of San Diego, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Padres, major league sources said.
The deal is to be announced early this week, after Clark passes a physical examination.
Clark, 35, hit .249 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs and was credited by teammates as bringing an invaluable clubhouse presence in the D-Backs’ run to the 2007 NL West title.
He had hoped to return, but the D-Backs opted to go another direction in mid-December, however, after they did not receive what they considered a timely response on a two-year, $3 million offer. His Padres’ contract is believed to be worth about $1 million.
Clark, a switch-hitter who had three pinch-hit home runs for the D-Backs last season and platooned at first base down the stretch, is expected to serve as a backup to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and a top pinch-hitting option in San Diego.
The Padres won the division in 2005-06 and were eliminated in a one-game playoff against Colorado last year.
Clark was a high school and college star in San Diego and he has made his home in the Valley for a decade.
He is the second D-Back to go to the Padres in the last eight months, joining outfielder Scott Hairston, who was dealt to San Diego for right-hander Leo Rosales at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
