Padres Open Drive for Tim Raines

The Padres on Monday officially began their pursuit of free-agent outfielder Tim Raines, who has the Padres very high on his list of potential teams.

Padre General Manager Jack McKeon called Raines’ agent, Tom Reich, and they spoke briefly.

Reich told McKeon that he had to go out of town, but that he’d get back to McKeon early next week.

But according to sources, Reich also told McKeon that Raines has drawn up a list of eight to 10 teams that he’d be willing to play for. And he said that Raines has a favorite three, including the Padres. Reich would not name the other two teams.

Also, sources said the Padres are the only team thus far that Reich has talked to regarding Raines.

Raines, the 1986 National League batting champion, won’t come cheaply. The Montreal Expos offered a three-year, $4.8-million contract, but Raines turned it down.

Padre Notes Former Padre outfielder Kevin McReynolds apparently is close to signing a contract with his new team, the New York Mets. According to sources, McReynolds’ agent, Tom Selakovich, is comparing McReynolds to Met right fielder Darryl Strawberry and has asked the Mets for a $950,000 contract in 1987. Though McReynolds made only $275,000 with the Padres last season, the Mets didn’t balk at Selakovich’s numbers.