Raines Likes Padres, Agent Says : Money May Be Biggest Snag in Signing Free-Agent Star

Negotiations have not begun, but free-agent outfielder Tim Raines is interested in signing with the Padres, according to Raines’ agent, Tom Reich.

“San Diego clearly is one of his teams of preference,” Reich said Friday from his Los Angeles office.

Reich would not name any other teams that interest Raines. But one club definitely out of the running--for a while, anyway--is the Montreal Expos, who failed to sign him before Thursday night’s free-agent deadline. Raines turned down a reported three-year, $4.8-million offer and cannot re-sign with the Expos until May 1.

Suddenly, San Diego is a front-runner, though there are some questions that need answering.

First, will Raines agree to a drug clause in his contract? Ballard Smith, the Padre president, has said that Raines can’t come here unless there is a clause. But sources close to Raines say the clause is no problem.

Secondly, is there any bitterness between Raines and Smith? Last season, Smith said that any player with a history of drug use would never play in San Diego. He said that included Raines.

But Smith later wrote an apology to Raines, saying he hadn’t meant to single him out. And Smith then said Raines could play in San Diego with the drug clause.

And, lastly, can the Padres afford Raines? They’re definitely interested, but Smith said the $4.8-million Montreal offer was a high one.

Also, there’s some question as to whether any team will seriously pursue high-profile free agents, such as Raines, who won the 1986 batting title (.334). Baseball’s owners seem intent on lowering the salary structure.

The Padres, though, seem to have cleared away some money. They already have released pitcher Dave LaPoint, infielder Jerry Royster and third baseman Graig Nettles, which adds up to almost $2 million. And they are trying to rid themselves of LaMarr Hoyt’s annual $1-million contract.

Most would agree that the Padres could use a player such as Raines, who would play left field and steal a lot of bases.

“He’d lead off, or maybe (newly acquired Stan) Jefferson would lead off, with Raines batting second and me batting third,” Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn said. “Or maybe I’d bat second and Raines would hit third. It would be great.”