The San Diego Padres have acquired infielder Todd Walker from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Jose Ceda. The left-handed Walker, who has hit everywhere he has been, could be a very good fit in Petco Park. In 94 games with the Cubs this season, Walker is batting .277 with a .352 on-base percentage, six homers and 40 RBI. The Padres likely would use him at third base, a position Walker hasn't played regularly since early in his career in the mid-1990s, when Minnesota groomed him to play third because Chuck Knoblauch was their second baseman. Walker has played second base full time since 1998, but with rookie Josh Barfield having a solid season at second, Walker likely would play third, perhaps fill in some at second and first base, and pinch-hit. The Cubs are expected to pay most of what remains of Walker's $2.5 million salary for 2006. Walker is eligible for free-agency this winter. They would get a minor-league player in return.