Padres’ Next Millionaire: Santiago?

Catcher Benito Santiago is expected to become the eighth player on the Padre payroll to earn at least $1 million this season when his agent begins contract negotiations early next week.

Santiago is one of five Padre players who are eligible to file for salary arbitration beginning today through Jan. 15. The other four eligible Padre players are: third baseman Mike Pagliarulo ($575,000) and pitchers Calvin Schiraldi ($400,000), Pat Clements ($205,000) and Mark Grant ($155,000).

Although Clements, who has had several contract negotiations with the Padres, is the only likely player not to file for arbitration, Santiago is expected to receive the largest pay-hike on the team.

Santiago, 24, earned a base salary of $310,000 last season, including a $25,000 bonus for making the All-Star team and $10,000 for winning the Gold Glove award. This is the first year he’s eligible to file for salary arbitration.

“I think Benito has established himself as one of the dominant catchers in baseball,” said Scott Boras, Santiago’s agent. “I can’t say what we’ll be asking for, but it’s safe to assume the increase will be dramatic.”

Santiago, who batted .236 with 16 homers and 62 RBIs, is a two-time Gold Glove winner. He led the major leagues by picking off 16 baserunners, while also throwing out 20 of 51 (39%) baserunners attempting to steal when given a chance to throw.

Although Boras did not rule out the possibility of a multi-year contract for Santiago, he expects that they’ll be negotiating a one-year deal.

Meanwhile, as the Padres attempt to get everyone signed before the start of spring training, it appears that one contract that may remain to be signed is that of the new ownership.

Although Sid and Jenny Craig of Del Mar told friends three weeks ago that they were the front-runners in the derby to purchase the Padres, two sources close to owner Joan Kroc said Thursday that no deal is imminent.

The asking price for the club is $100 million, and according to Los Angeles banker Ron Anson, Kroc is demanding that the ownership group have $100 million in working capital, and $300 million in reserve. Also, the club must remain in San Diego while all partners’ financial interest in the sale must be fully divulged.

“With those kind of requirements,” Anson said, “you’ve got to ask yourself, ‘Who out there can possibly be interested?’ I know our group is out.”