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The New York Mets have agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract Friday with free-agent starter Tim Redding, a baseball official told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand.

He must pass a physical before the deal will be official.

Redding, 30, posted a 10-11 record with a 4.95 ERA in 182 innings covering 33 starts with Washington last season. The right-hander has a career record of 34-51 in seven seasons with Houston, San Diego, the Yankees and Nationals.

Redding became a free agent when the Nationals non-tendered him in December.

The Mets, who already have Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine at the front of their rotation, plan to slide Redding into the No. 5 spot. Lefty prospect Jonathan Niese will also vie for the fifth spot.

The team is still pursuing free agent Derek Lowe and possibly Oliver Perez.

The Mets could also still sign Pedro Martinez and Randy Wolf to add to their pitching staff..

Information from ESPN 1050 Radio's Andrew Marchand and ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick was used in this report.