Rasmussen to Reject Padres’ Arbitration Offer

Padre left-handed starter Dennis Rasmussen will reject the Padres’ offer of arbitration today, according to sources, signaling the likely end of his 2 1/2-year stay with the organization.

The Padres still have until Jan. 8 to re-sign Rasmussen or lose his negotiating rights until May 1, but they appear no closer to signing him now than they did at the conclusion of the season.

The Padres have offered Rasmussen a one-year contract for about $900,000, sources said, and refuse to offer a multi-year contract, or even a one-year contract with an option.

“We’re trying to work out a suitable arrangement,” said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, “but I don’t know if it’ll be done. We haven’t discussed anything beyond one year.”

Rasmussen, 31, who earned $802,500 in 1990, refused to divulge his decision on today’s deadline for accepting or rejecting arbitration, but said: “Obviously, they’re not offering what I’m looking for right now. We’ve talked haven’t had any serious talks in a while.”

Rasmussen, who over the past three seasons has won more games (35) than any Padre pitcher with the exception of Ed Whitson, was 11-15 in 1990 with a 4.51 ERA. He has made at least 30 starts in every season since 1985.

The Padres, meanwhile, are awaiting an answer from free-agent reliever Larry Andersen, to whom they have made a contract offer. They also have had informal talks with Brian David, the agent of free-agent second baseman Marty Barrett.

The Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves also have expressed interest in Barrett, but when contacted Tuesday night, Barrett said, “I’m going to be patient, but I think San Diego might be the perfect scenario for me.”

It’s possible that Barrett not only would attain plenty of playing time, but perhaps even start for the Padres in 1991. The Padres have Bip Roberts penciled in as the starting second baseman, but they also have offered him to Kansas City in a trade proposal for outfielder Danny Tartabull.