SAN DIEGO — The Padres agreed to terms on a one-year contract Friday with Brad Hawpe to play first base.
The deal is pending Hawpe passing a physical exam.
Hawpe will replace three- time all-star Adrian Gonzalez, who was traded to the Red Sox earlier this month. Hawpe has mostly been an outfielder in seven big-league seasons, with a handful of starts at first base. He was released by the Rockies in August and signed by Tampa Bay.
The Padres had to go outside the organization to replace Gonzalez because Anthony Rizzo, one of the prospects obtained from Boston, isn’t expected to be ready for perhaps a season.
Kyle Blanks, once considered the heir apparent to Gonzalez, had reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in late July and is expected to be sidelined until midseason. Before he got hurt, Blanks had been moved to left field to give him playing time.
Hawpe hit a combined .245 with nine homers and 44 RBIs last season. He was an all-star in 2009 with Colorado, hitting .285 with 23 homers and 86 RBIs.
Marlins sign Nolasco
MIAMI — Right-hander Ricky Nolasco signed a three-year, $26.5 million contract with the Marlins. He is expected to earn $6 million in 2011, $9 million in 2012 and $11.5 in 2013.
He made $3.8 million last season, when he went 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA. The 28-year-old missed the final month after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery.
Nolasco said he has been running and exercising without any setbacks.
“I should be 100 percent by spring training,” he said.
Nolasco is 54-39 with a 4.45 ERA in five years with the Marlins, and his strikeout-walk ratio of 638-169 over that time is among the best in baseball.
Thompson joins Pirates
PITTSBURGH — The Pirates claimed minor-league left- hander Aaron Thompson off waivers from the Nationals and designated left-hander Wil Ledezma for assignment to create a roster spot.
