Padres’ Hawkins Files for Free Agency

Padre pitcher Andy Hawkins filed for free agency Thursday, one day before the deadline for players eligible to go that route.

Beginning Saturday, Hawkins is free to negotiate with any major league club that is interested in him, including the Padres.

“That’s his right, and I respect that right,” said Jack McKeon, the Padre manager and general manager. “We’d like to sign Andy, sure, but on the other hand he has a right to file. It’s the first time in his career that he’s been eligible to file for free agency.”

McKeon said that the Padres will continue to negotiate with Hawkins and attempt to sign him.

“The door’s not closed,” McKeon said.

Hawkins, 28, a right-hander, was 14-11 with a 3.35 earned run average in 1988. In his 6-year major league career, Hawkins is 60-58, including a career-best 18-8 in 1985.

McKeon, acting Padre president Dick Freeman and Jerry Kapstein, Hawkins’ agent, last negotiated Wednesday night.

When asked if they are close to an agreement, McKeon said, “I couldn’t tell. You don’t know in these things if you’re close or far apart.”

Bob Teaff, a spokesman for Kapstein, said Thursday night that Kapstein “Has been in contact with clubs other than San Diego” regarding Hawkins.

Hawkins was unavailable for comment.

At the end of the 1988 season, the Padres had three potential free agents. They’ve since signed pitcher Eric Show. Shortstop Garry Templeton preceded Hawkins in filing for free agency. Nothing is expected to develop in the Templeton negotiations for a couple of weeks because Richie Bry, Templeton’s agent, is out of the country until Nov. 14.