With Eckstein signed, the team also might pass on signing Omar Vizquel to play shortstop, according to major-league sources. One source familiar with the Padres' thinking said he "doubts" that the team could sign both Eckstein and Vizquel.

San Diego general manager Kevin Towers told MLB.com that he is hoping to add a shortstop by the end of this week. But if the Padres decline to sign Vizquel, they could be left with Luis Rodriguez as an internal replacement for Khalil Greene at short.

Vizquel said Wednesday that he has drawn interest from the Padres, who traded Greene to the Cardinals earlier this off-season.

"They've showed some interest," Vizquel told MLB.com. "It could be a great fit for me. I've played in the division and I know a lot of people."

Eckstein will bat first or second for San Diego, and he is expected to take less money from the Padres to remain in an everyday role. The Padres' payroll is expected to be limited to the $40M range, and the team likely will not give Eckstein more than $1 million guaranteed.

Eckstein, who has primarily been a shortstop during his eight-year career, played some second base last season for the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks and came up as a second baseman in the Red Sox's minor-league system.