Padres Offer Roberts or Harris for Tartabull

The Padres, according to sources, have offered the Kansas City Royals their choice of infielder/outfielder Bip Roberts or pitcher Greg Harris in an attempt to acquire power-hitting outfielder Danny Tartabull.

The Royals, according to a source, are very interested in Roberts, but would like more in return. The Royals discussed the offers Tuesday in private meetings, but yet to respond to the Padres. However, one member of the Royals said they likely will also ask for backup catcher Mark Parent or utility infielder Joey Cora.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, said that the Padres have made several trade proposals, but refused to divulge specifics.

Herk Robinson, Royal general manager, confirmed that the clubs have talked about specific players, but said that an agreement is not imminent. The Royals are awaiting the conclusion of the Raiders’ season, making sure that Bo Jackson is not seriously injured. They can not afford to lose Jackson and Tartabull, Robinson said.

Tartabull, 28, considered one of the top right-handed power-hitters in the American League, averaged 30 homers and 101 RBIs in 1987 and 1988. Yet, he missed 103 games the past two seasons with groin and calf injuries, and has averaged 16.5 homers and 51 RBIs.

Roberts, bracing himself for a possible trade, said: “Joe told me I’ll probably stay a Padre, unless he finds a star like a Mickey Mantle. But I know anything can happen. If I’m traded, I won’t have any hard feelings.

“If the phone rings, and Joe says, ‘You’re going to Kansas City,’ I’ll just say, ‘You got a deal you had to make.’ ”

If the trade is consummated, the Royals would have Roberts play left field and bat leadoff. Jackson would then be moved to right field, and Kirk Gibson would be used primarily as a designated hitter. Roberts also would be used occasionally at third base.

Strangely, while Roberts has been told that he’ll be the Padres’ starting second baseman if he remains, those in the Royals’ scouting department agree that second base is Roberts’ worst position.

The Padres also have yet to hear from the Orioles regarding the proposal to acquire third baseman Craig Worthington from Baltimore. The Padres, an Oriole executive said, have offered the Orioles their choice of two of three pitchers: Derek Lilliquist, Rafael Valdez and Rich Rodriguez. The Orioles, however, also have been offered Mark Guthrie and first baseman Paul Sorrento from the Minnesota Twins.

Meanwhile, as promised, Boston general manager Lou Gorman made a two-year contract offer Tuesday to free-agent first baseman Jack Clark. Gorman offered Clark what is believed to be a two-year contract for about $5.5 million, and an option year at about $3 million. Clark is seeking a three-year offer, but negotiations are expected to continue this week.

“We had a good 45-minute conversation today in which we exchanged some figures,” Gorman said. “They’re going to get back to me, but I thought our first negotiating session was productive and amicable.

“Hopefully, we’ll have it resolved this week. We think he wants to come here, and we want him. I think it’s just a matter of money.”

Clark, who earned $2 million last season with the Padres, also is expected to be pursued by the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. But he has informed Gorman that the Red Sox are his top choice.