Clark Set to Sign With Boston for Three Years, $9.3 Million

Padre first baseman Jack Clark, a second-look free agent, is expected to agree to a three-year contract today with the Boston Red Sox that is believed to worth about $9.3 million.

Tom Reich, Clark’s agent, and Red Sox General Manager Lou Gorman have another meeting scheduled this afternoon in Boston. Clark said he believes an accord will be reached.

“He (Reich) didn’t say that we have a done deal,” Clark said from his Danville, Calif., home, “but he said he’s real positive we’ll get things done. And Tom usually doesn’t say that unless we’re very close.

“I can’t wait. For me, I wish it had happened yesterday. They know how bad I want to play there, and they’re saying they want me just as bad. I don’t care if I have to DH, play the outfield, or whatever, Boston is the place I want to be.”

The primary stumbling block in the negotiations was the Red Sox’s reluctance to guarantee the third year of the contract, but the Red Sox acceded Friday afternoon to Clark’s demands. The Padres’ last offer to Clark was for one year at $2.5 million.

In other news, the Padres are considering acquiring veteran second baseman Marty Barrett and could begin negotiations Tuesday.

Barrett, who was released Friday by the Red Sox, said that his agent, Brian David, already has contacted the Padres, who, along with the Kansas City Royals, are his top choices.

“I can’t say anything right now,” said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, “but he’s definitely worth thinking about. He’s slowed down, and he doesn’t have great range, but what he offers is a great baseball mind. It’d be like having another coach on the field.”

Barrett, 32, has a career .278 batting average. He was the Red Sox’s starting second baseman in 1984-1989, but this past season Jody Reed became the starter, moving over from shortstop. Barrett was left on the bench, batting .226 in only 159 at-bats. He made several critical comments of Red Sox Manager Joe Morgan during the season, leading to the Red Sox’s decision to buy out the final year of his contract for $1.3 million.

“The San Diego Padres or Royals are my No. 1 choice,” said Barrett, who resides in Las Vegas. “No one has to make a contract offer to me, I’ll just play for the minimum, and hopefully prove I deserve to come back. I’m going to give San Diego a good shot at me.

“I just want to go where they need a second baseman, and a team that has a chance to win.”

Barrett, who has one year left on his contract at $1.1 million, still must clear waivers to become a free agent Tuesday. Once he clears waivers, teams can begin negotiations, and sign him for as little as $100,000, the major league minimum.

Barrett, if nothing else, would be at least an insurance policy to the Padres. If the season were to start today, the Padres’ starting second baseman would be Bip Roberts, but Roberts’ name still is being bandied about in trade talks with the Kansas City Royals in an attempt to acquire outfielder Danny Tartabull.

“If we get Marty, believe me, I’ll be a very happy man,” said Padre pitcher Bruce Hurst, who was teammates with Barrett at Boston. “We need a second baseman. He’s just so unique. He doesn’t impress you with his arm, or range, but he makes up for it with savvy.

“We used to call him Connie Mack, because all he does is think and talk baseball.”