Martinez Signs; Eight Could Seek Arbitration

Although Carmelo Martinez won’t take the Padres to arbitration for the next three years, eight unsigned Padres could do so before spring training.

Martinez, who will not be eligible for arbitration until next year, signed a three-year contract worth $725,000 Friday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

But Eric Show, Alan Wiggins, Andy Hawkins, Craig Lefferts, Luis DeLeon, Bruce Bochy, Mario Ramirez and Greg Harris were eligible to file for arbitration before Friday’s midnight deadline.

General Manager Jack McKeon said he was aware that Show, Wiggins, Hawkins, Lefferts and Harris had filed. McKeon said the Padres were “fairly close” to signing three of those five.

“I don’t think any of the eight will go to arbitration,” McKeon said. “You have to realize that just because they filed, it doesn’t mean they will go. They are just protecting their rights.”

If any of the players who filed do not come to terms, their arbitration hearings will take place before spring training. Pitchers and catchers report to Yuma, Ariz. on Feb. 25. The remainder of the squad reports on March 1.

Martinez, a natural first baseman, is expected to be the Padres’ left fielder for the second straight season.

He batted .249 with 13 home runs and 66 RBIs as a rookie in 1984. He also played well defensively despite his inexperience in the outfield.

“He played decent defense for a guy who had never played there before,” McKeon said. “With a year’s experience, he should be even better.”

Martinez, who said he is fully recovered from a winter-league wrist injury, earned the minimum $40,000 last year. He said his new contract is worth $150,000 the first year, $250,000 the second and $350,000 the third, but a Padre source said those figures are a little high.

“The important thing for me is that San Diego is guaranteeing me three years in the major leagues,” Martinez told the Associated Press in San Juan. “I’ll be playing more relaxed because I don’t have to be worrying about salary.”