Padres Won’t Offer Contracts to Nettles, LaPoint by Deadline

Calling it “fiscal responsibility,” the San Diego Padres announced Thursday that they will not offer contracts to veteran third baseman Graig Nettles and pitcher Dave LaPoint by Saturday’s major league deadline, making both players free agents.

Nettles and LaPoint will be free to sign with another team after Saturday, but the Padres also could still sign them for next year.

By waiting until after Saturday, the Padres will save money.

Under league rules, the Padres have until Dec. 20 to tender contracts to any of their players who have three or more years of major league service, who are unsigned and who have not filed for free agency.

Nettles and LaPoint qualify.

But if the Padres were to offer either of them contracts by Dec. 20, they would have to pay both not less than 80% of their 1986 contracts. Nettles, 42, made $900,000 last year, LaPoint, 27, earned nearly $600,000.

Nettles has said he is willing to take a substantial pay cut in order to play next year.

By waiting until after Saturday, Nettles could be signed for--as an example--$300,000. At that price, the Padres might be interested, though sources say there’s not much of a chance of Nettles returning.

Nettles’ agent, Jerry Kapstein, still thinks a deal can be reached.

“The announcement by the club that they are not tendering a contract to Graig comes as no surprise to Graig or to me,” Kapstein said Thursday. “We had been told this earlier in conversations with Jack (McKeon, the Padre general manager). Graig has a strong desire to continue playing with San Diego in whatever role may be desired by the club. I anticipate further conversations with Jack in the near future concerning Graig.”

McKeon said: “If we decide to negotiate later on (with Nettles), that’s our option.”

LaPoint was 1-4 with a 4.26 earned-run average after being acquired from Detroit for Mark Thurmond at midseason. His performance was a minor disappointment, especially considering his hefty salary.

“Even with a 20% pay cut, that’s more than we want to pay him,” McKeon said. “We don’t think he’s that kind of pitcher.”

Neither LaPoint nor Nettles were available for comment Thursday.