Padres Keep Talking With Free-Agent Hurst

Bruce Hurst arrived here Tuesday with his agent, Nick Lampros, and talks between the Padres and the free-agent pitcher continued.

While no agreement was reached, both sides sounded upbeat.

“It went great,” Hurst said. “We had a nice visit and had a lot to talk about.”

Hurst and Lampros met for lunch with Padre acting president Dick Freeman and General Manager/Manager Jack McKeon. The meeting lasted at least 3 hours, and Padre spokesman Bill Beck said McKeon termed it a “good meeting. It went very well. We had discussions, but there’s nothing else to say at this point.”

The Padres have offered Hurst a 3-year, $4.7-million contract. The third year is not guaranteed.

The Toronto Blue Jays have joined the Padres and Boston in the race to sign Hurst. The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that the Blue Jays offered Hurst $4.7 million over 3 years. Pat Gillick, Toronto vice president, citing club policy, refused to comment on the offer.

The Red Sox reportedly offered Hurst $4.7 million over 3 years last month before Lampros urged Hurst to test the free-agent market.

“I haven’t made any decision yet,” Hurst said. “I’ve got a lot to think about.”

Hurst said it is unlikely he will decide to accept an offer this week.

“I’m going to wait through the holiday,” he said. “We’ll let everyone have a nice holiday.”

Hurst was 18-6 in 1988 with a 3.66 earned run-average. He was 13-2 at Fenway Park, and moved into second place on Boston’s all-time list of victories by a left-hander at Fenway Park (56).