Padres Sign Rasmussen to 2-Year Contract

The Padres signed left-handed starting pitcher Dennis Rasmussen to a 2-year contract Friday, beating Monday’s arbitration deadline by a weekend.

The deal was for a reported total of $1.3 million.

“We’re happy with the way the contract came to be,” Rasmussen said from his home in Omaha, Neb. “We were prepared for arbitration, but we finally came to an agreement.”

After coming to the Padres from Cincinnati last June 10 in a trade for Candy Sierra, Rasmussen, 29, went 14-4 with a 2.55 earned-run average in 20 starts. Overall, he was 16-10 with a 3.43 ERA. He won 10 of his last 13 starts.

“The trade to the Padres was a blessing in disguise,” Rasmussen said. “I came here and worked with (pitching coach) Pat Dobson, ironed a couple of things out and never looked back.”

Dobson welcomed news of Rasmussen’s signing.

“Outstanding,” Dobson said from his home in Cape Coral, Fla. “Hopefully, happy pitchers are good pitchers. We’re set as far as our starters go. There aren’t a lot of jobs open, but that’s good, too. We can concentrate on the guys who are going to be with the club and give them some innings.”

Rasmussen said he is looking forward to spring training, which begins next month.

“I’ll tell you, since we traded for Jack Clark and Walt Terrell and acquired Bruce Hurst, I’ve been excited to get to spring training,” Rasmussen said.

“Although I liked our pitching staff last year, I believe it’s better from top to bottom this year. I believe you’re only going to go as far as your pitching. Last year, we didn’t have enough offensive punch, so this year will be that much easier for our pitchers. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be on top at the end.”

Rasmussen and Montreal pitcher Tim Burke have been working out this winter in Omaha with the Creighton University baseball team.

“I’ll be throwing batting practice at Creighton next week,” Rasmussen said. “I feel the same way coming into spring training each year: I want to get there and do the things I should be able to do. I never go into spring training feeling I have a position sewed up.”

Dickie Thon is the only Padre who has filed for arbitration. Two others--Marvell Wynne and Terrell--are still eligible to file by Monday’s deadline.

Padre Notes

The Padres traded minor league infielder Brad Pounders to the New York Mets for minor league pitcher Rich Rodriguez. Pounders, 25, hit .279 with 14 home runs and 74 RBIs in 110 games for triple-A Las Vegas in 1988. Rodriguez, a 25-year-old left-hander, was 2-7 with six saves and a 2.87 ERA in 47 games with double-A Jackson.