McReynolds Contract Talks Start

Kevin McReynolds’ contract negotiations got under way Monday night, and sources said McReynolds’ agent, Tom Selakovich, asked the Padres for an $875,000 contract in 1987.

McReynolds, a Padre outfielder, earned $275,000 in 1986 after losing an arbitration hearing last February. But he led the team with 26 home runs and 96 runs batted in.

“I gave them my asking price,” Selakovich said. “And they said it was the first time in my history with McReynolds that my offer was under what they thought I’d ask for. No, I didn’t ask for seven figures. But they told me, ‘You know, we’ll have a hard time paying you a dime more than what Tony Gwynn makes.’ ”

Gwynn will earn $700,000 in 1987.

Jack McKeon, the Padre general manager, declined comment. But Selakovich said that McKeon told him that negotiations would continue Dec. 20.