Santiago Seeks $1-Million Deal

Catcher Benito Santiago filed for arbitration Monday night, and according to sources, will seek the largest arbitration award in Padre history, a one-year contract exceeding $1.1 million.

Santiago, who earned a base salary of $310,000 and $35,000 in incentives, will submit a salary demand Thursday that could be as high as $1.3 million, and will exchange salary figures Friday with the Padres.

If the two sides do not reach an agreement, an arbitration hearing will be scheduled between Feb. 1 to Feb. 15 when an impartial arbitrator chooses one figure or the other without a compromise.

“We’ve decided to file,” said Scott Boras,” Santiago’s agent. “Benito’s had three great years for them, and now it’s time to be rewarded.”

The highest arbitration award ever sought in Padre history occurred a year ago when pitcher Walt Terrell filed for $925,000. The Padres countered with an offer of $775,000, and won their case.

The last time the Padres lost an arbitration ruling was in 1987 when Andy Hawkins was awarded $535,000--a $235,000 raise and $85,000 increase from the Padres’ counter-offer.

“This is a business decision,” said Jack McKeon, Padre manager-vice president/baseball operations. “We still have time to work things out. If we can’t get together, we’ll go to the hearing and get it settled. There shouldn’t be any hard feelings on either side.”

Santiago is one of five Padre players eligible to file before today’s 9 a.m. arbitration filing deadline. With the possible exception of pitcher Pat Clements, all have said that they will enter the process.

The others are: third baseman Mike Pagliarulo, who earned $575,000 last season; pitcher Calvin Schiraldi ($400,000); pitcher Mark Grant ($155,000); and Clements ($205,000).

“We’re so close now, I don’t know if we’ll file or not,” Clements said. “If we do, I don’t forsee us going all the way to the hearing because we’re not far apart at all.”

In contrast, Santiago and the Padres are at least $400,000 apart in their contract negotiations, which could ultimately result in the necessity of an arbitration ruling.

Santiago, despite hitting just .236 last season, had more home runs (16) and runs batted in (62) this past season than any catcher in the National League. He also has won the Gold Glove award the past two seasons, and was selected to the 1989 All-Star team.

“People can talk all they want about experience, and how Benito just has three years in the league,” Boras said, “but the numbers and awards he’s received speak for themselves.”

Although neither Boras nor the Padres are willing to divulge their contract offers before Friday, it’s clear that Santiago will receive more than Oakland Athletics’ catcher Terry Steinbach, who Monday signed a two-year contract for $1.8 million.

“We’ll play the game and see what I’m worth,” Santiago, 24, said. “But I’ll be happy with whatever happens. I’m still young, and I’ll have better years.

“I’m really looking forward to this year, and forgetting all about the past. People say I have problems with Jack McKeon, hey, those days are over. We have no problems.

“No one’s ever going to get along every day, but I don’t have problems with him. Nobody saw us fighting in the streets, did they? Everything’s going to be great this year, just watch.”

Likewise, Santiago’s backup, Mark Parent, also appears to have changed his outlook. It was just a month ago at the winter meetings when Parent requested a trade, knowing that he again would be a backup. But now, after contract negotiations that are expected to result in a 90% pay raise to about $190,000, Parent said he’s willing to adjust to his role.

“This showed me that Jack lived up to his promise,” Parent said. “He knew I could play somewhere else, but he said if I do my job as a backup, and keep my mouth shut and play hard, he’ll take care of me.

“It’s shown me that hard work’s paid off.”

The Padres, according to sources, have fired Tal Smith as a consultant to the front-office. Smith, who has been with the Padres since June 8, 1981, represented the Padres in arbitration cases and assisted Padre owner Joan Kroc in front-office matters.

Smith led the search to find a club president when Chub Feeney was fired, ultimately promoting Dick Freeman to the position. He also recommended Tony Siegle for the job as vice president/player personnel, whose employment lasted six months.

The Padres have eliminated the consultant position from the front-office, and have hired Minneapolis attorney Clark Griffith to represent them in arbitration cases. Griffth is the son of former Twins owner Calvin Griffth.