The San Diego Padres appear to be the front-runner to sign pitcher Mark Prior, who figures to make a final choice among many offers very soon, perhaps within the next 24-48 hours. The Padres have offered a modest base salary plus a performance bonus package to Prior, according to sources, but other teams continue to talk with Prior; other more aggressive offers could take shape. The former Cub pitcher lives in San Diego County, and in the end he may opt to play for the team located closest to his home in what figures to be a transitional year in his career. After being selected as the No. 2 pick in the 2001 draft, Prior went 41-23 in the first four seasons of his career. But he has had injury problems since 2003, and after pitching in nine games in 2006, he didn't throw in any games last year. The 27-year-old Prior had surgery last Apri l, with Dr. James Andrews repairing his surgery. There were enough questions about Prior's future that the Cubs decided to not tender him a contract for 2008, in spite of the remarkable early success he had in his career.