Clark Says No Thanks to Padres’ Latest Offer

First baseman Jack Clark rejected the Padres’ latest contract offer Saturday, and unless there’s a radical change in negotiations, it appears highly unlikely that Clark will return to the Padres for the 1991 season.

The Padres, after being informed that Clark will be one of 16 players eligible for second-look free agency because of the Collusion III ruling, offered Clark a one-year guaranteed contract for $2.5 million if he agrees to waive his right to free agency.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, said he is awaiting a response from Clark and agent Tom Reich. But when reached Saturday night at his home in Danville, Calif., Clark said the offer won’t even be considered.

“They’ve got no chance at all on that one,” Clark said. “Why would I sign that? I wouldn’t give up my right to free agency to sign a one-year deal.”

Although the Padres could still enhance their proposal, McIlvaine insisted Saturday that they will not offer Clark a multi-year contract.

And Clark said that unless the Padres offer him at least a two-year contract, or considerably raise their one-year offer, he’ll likely play elsewhere.

“I’m not expecting every team to knock my door down,” said Clark, who earned $2 million in 1990, “but I’m sure I’ll get my share of offers.”

This is the Padres’ second offer to Clark since August. Previously, they offered him $2.5 million, but according to Clark, the contract was not fully guaranteed. The original offer, Clark said, was for $2.1 million in base salary and $400,000 in incentives for games played.

“That one wasn’t even an offer,” said Clark, who batted .266, with 25 homers and 62 runs batted in last season. “At least this one showed me something. To me, this is really their first offer.”

When McIlvaine was asked why he wouldn’t offer Clark, 35, a multi-year contract, he said: “After what happened with the team last year, I don’t want to take that risk. I don’t know whether he was part of the problem or not, but I’ll survey the situation this year.”

If Clark does not return to the Padres, McIlvaine said Jerald Clark likely will inherit the first-base job. Clark, 27, batted .267 with five homers in 101 at-bats, and went five for 12 with three homers and seven RBIs in the final three games of the season.

In fact, McIlvaine, who spent this week evaluating the Padres in their organizational meetings, said the club probably will not dip into the high-priced free-agent market. Instead, they will attempt to strengthen the team through trades and the development of their minor league system.

The Padres, in order of need, McIlvaine said, will attempt to acquire a right-handed bullpen stopper to complement lefty Craig Lefferts; find a fifth starter; rectify the left side of the infield, and come up with a center fielder.

--Right-handed reliever: “There’s really not a whole lot out there on the free agent market,” McIlvaine said, “and I’m not going to pay a guy like Buddy Black $10 million for four years. We’ll probably have to trade a lefty (a group which includes Derek Lilliquist, Atlee Hammaker and Rich Rodriguez) to get a veteran righty.”

--Fifth starter: If the Padres do not acquire a fifth starter, the job will go to either Lilliquist, Hammaker, Schiraldi or possibly free agent Dennis Rasmussen.

--Shortstop and third base: McIlvaine has abandoned plans to move second baseman Roberto Alomar to shortstop. He is expected to trade for a shortstop, with candidates including the Mets’ Kevin Elster and the Giants’ Jose Uribe. Roberts likely could be the starter at third, but McIlvaine said Eddie Williams will be given another shot, and the Padres will continue to look outside for a possible trade.

--Center field: The Padres have decided that Joe Carter will be moved permanently to left field, and Tony Gwynn will stay in right. McIlvaine said the Padres will choose a starting center fielder from among Shawn Abner, Darrin Jackson and Thomas Howard.