The Florida Marlins are closing in on a contract with free-agent pitcher Al Leiter, a baseball source told ESPN.com on Thursday.
Leiter, 39, became a free agent when the New York Mets declined his $10 million option for 2005. He went 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA for the Mets this season. The Marlins' offer is believed to be for $7 million to $8 million for one year.
Leiter pitched previously for the Marlins in 1996-97. He threw the first no-hitter in franchise history against Colorado on May 11, 1996, and was a member of Florida's World Championship team a year later.
Marlins spokesman Steve Copses and Leiter's agent, Randy Hendricks, declined to comment.
Pitcher Carl Pavano, who led the team with an 18-8 record, filed for free agency in November and has drawn interest from Boston, the Yankees, Baltimore, Detroit, Anaheim and Seattle, among other clubs. The Marlins recently made Pavano a three-year, $21 million offer.
Jerry Crasnick is a regular contributor to ESPN Insider. He can be reached via e-mail.