Orosco, Padres Near a Deal

The Dodgers are on the verge of losing one of their best antidotes to San Francisco Giant slugger Barry Bonds -- free-agent reliever Jesse Orosco is close to signing a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres.

Orosco, the 45-year-old left-hander who spent the last two seasons in Los Angeles, has held Bonds to four hits in 25 at-bats for a .160 average. Bonds has two homers, two walks and nine strikeouts against Orosco.

Unless the Dodgers have a significant change of heart and decide to counter the Padre offer, Orosco will pitch next season in San Diego, about five miles from his home.

“Over the weekend, I received a substantial offer from the Padres, with a guaranteed contract, a spot on the 40-man roster and a promise not to trade Jesse without his consent,” said Alan Meersand, Orosco’s agent. “The way I see it, this is 99% done.”

Meersand declined to go into specifics of the offer, but it is thought to be worth about $1 million. Orosco, who made $800,000 on a non-guaranteed contract last season, went 1-2 with a 3.00 earned-run average in 56 games for the Dodgers, striking out 22 and walking 12 in 27 innings.

The short-relief specialist limited opposing hitters to a .229 average; left-handers hit .238 against him, and right-handers hit .214. He has an 85-78 record and 3.04 ERA in 1,187 games over 22 seasons.

Because he is a Type C free agent, the Dodgers would not receive any draft-pick compensation if Orosco signs elsewhere.

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The Dodgers have expressed interest in Japanese reliever Takashi Saito, and a team representative plans to fly to Japan to meet with the agent for the 33-year-old right-hander this weekend.

Saito, who made $1.5 million with the Yokohama Bay Stars last season, has a 93-mph fastball. The former starting pitcher was converted into a reliever in 2001 and has a 76-64 record with a 3.62 earned-run average and 48 saves.

Saito is a free agent, so U.S. teams do not have to go through a bidding process to secure negotiating rights with him.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

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Kansas City waived shortstop Neifi Perez, clearing the way for Angel Berroa to take over the job next season.... Detroit agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Matt Walbeck.... Left-handed reliever Juan Alvarez was released by Texas.... Oakland signed pitcher Jose Silva, catcher Mitch Meluskey, first baseman David McCarty and outfielder Billy McMillon to minor league contracts.