Gwynn Denies That He Asked for a Trade

Tony Gwynn said he did not request a trade and denied that he had said he wouldn’t play on the same team with Jack Clark during a meeting last week with Joe McIlvaine, the San Diego Padres’ new general manager.

Gwynn would not elaborate but said the meeting with McIlvaine went well, adding: “He seems like an honest guy.”

The Padres exercised the final option year of Gwynn’s contract Thursday and will pay him $2 million in 1992.

Gwynn’s situation deteriorated steadily last season, in large part because of comments by Clark, who accused Gwynn of being a selfish player. Gwynn would not comment on that situation.

“I’m laying low in town,” said Gwynn, whose season ended early when he broke his finger on Sept. 15. “Everybody knows where I’m coming from, and everybody knows where Jack is coming from. I’m not going to sit here and bicker. Everybody is waiting to see what changes will be made, who will be around.”