Alomar Makes Big Money, Padre History

Padre second baseman Roberto Alomar became the highest-paid player in baseball with two or fewer years of major league service, according to sources, when he signed a one-year, $390,000 contract.

It also is the highest-paid contract furnished to a two-year player in Padre history, and a raise of $240,000 over his 1989 contract.

“I’m very happy about my contract,” Alomar said, “but to tell you the truth, I think I’m worth it.

“Now, I just hope this lockout ends so I go out there and show it.”

Alomar, who also has a $10,000 all-star incentive in his contract, was one of 13 players signed Friday by the Padres.

There were five others who signed one-year contracts for more than $100,000, sources said: pitcher Mike Dunne ($225,000); third baseman/outfielder Bip Roberts ($195,000); relief pitcher Greg Harris ($175,000); center fielder Darrin Jackson ($140,000), and starting pitcher Andy Benes ($130,000).

The other seven players who signed--each of whom are expected to earn the major league minimum if they make the Padres’ major league roster--are pitchers Ricky Bones, Matt Maysey and Eric Nolte and outfielders Shawn Abner, Alex Cole, Jerald Clark and Thomas Howard.

The four remaining players on the Padres’ 37-man major league roster who will either be signed today or given renewed contracts, according to Jack McKeon, Padre manager and vice president/operations, are: infielders Joey Cora, Rob Nelson and Phil Stephenson; and pitcher Dan Murphy.

“We imposed a deadline to get everyone signed,” McKeon said, “and today was our last day. We think we were fair, and hopefully everybody thinks we treated them fairly.”

It was not until Friday afternoon, however, when McKeon and agent Scott Boras thought they even had a chance of settling on a contract with Alomar.

Alomar, who finished second to Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg in the Gold Glove and Silver Bat balloting among managers and coaches, was asking for more than $500,000 at one point in the negotiations while the Padres were offering less than $300,000.

But after five telephone conversations Friday between Boras and McKeon, and weeks of negotiations, the Padres decided to make Alomar the highest-paid second-year player in their club’s history.

“He’s one of the top young players in the game,” McKeon said, “and he deserves the contract he received, or else we wouldn’t have given it to him.”

Alomar, 22, was among the league’s best offensive infielders this past season. He batted .295, sixth-highest batting average in the league, finished third in the league with 184 hits, and tied for second with 42 stolen bases.

Alomar underwent surgery in the off-season to repair separated ligaments in his left hand, but took batting practice Friday, and said that he felt no ill effects.

“I’m all ready to go,” he said. “Everything feels good. I’m just ready to play ball as soon as they let us.”

The Padres, however, must continue working out on their own until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. There were a handful of Padre players who were working out at San Diego State, along with other major-league players, but union chief Don Fehr advised them to work out individually.

“There’s not much we can do but wait,” Alomar said.