Advertisement

Padres to Sign Barrett But Let Rasmussen Go

Share
TIMES STAFF WRITER

The Padres, unwilling to provide free-agent starting pitcher Dennis Rasmussen a multi-year contract, will sever ties with the eight-year veteran today, sources said.

They also are expected to announce today that they have signed free-agent second baseman Marty Barrett to a triple-A contract, paying him the major-league minimum salary of $100,000. The reason for not immediately signing him to a major-league contract simply is to allow the Padres the option of protecting two vacancies on their 40-man roster until they’re required to submit a 25-man roster on opening day.

The Padres have offered Rasmussen a one-year contract for about $1 million, sources said. Rasmussen, who owns a career 80-60 record--including an 11-15 record in 1990--is seeking at least a two-year contract in excess of $2 million.

Advertisement

“I really can’t comment on anything now,” Rasmussen said from his Omaha, Neb., home, “but we’re continuing to talk to other clubs, and a lot of things will come into focus Tuesday. I just need to know what direction to point my van, whether I’m heading for Arizona or Florida for spring training.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with the Padres, but there’s no question I still want a multi-year contract.”

Said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager: “We’ve offered a one-year contract, but we’re not going to offer a two-year deal. We talked to his agent (Bob Teaff) today, and we’ll talk again.”

The Padres have a deadline of 9 p.m. today to sign Rasmussen, and if they fail to do so, they are prohibited from negotiating with him until May 1 and signing him until May 15.

The likely departure of Rasmussen leaves Derek Lilliquist (5-11 in 1990), Mike Dunne (0-3), Ricky Bones (8-5 at double-Wichita and triple-A Las Vegas) and Atlee Hammaker (4-9) as the candidates for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

But while the Padres refuse to take a risk in signing Rasmussen, there really is little gamble in signing Barrett. Although Barrett has one year left on his contract for $1.1 million, the Boston Red Sox are obligated to pay $1 million of his salary.

Advertisement

“It’s about a done deal,” Barrett said from his Las Vegas home. “All we have to do is dot the i’s and cross the t’s. I’m so excited, I feel like a kid all over again.”

Barrett, 32, who was relegated to the bench most of last season with the Red Sox, batted .226 with 13 RBIs in 62 games. He’s a career .278 hitter, batting .283 with 65 RBIs only two years ago, and has participated in three playoffs and a World Series with the Red Sox.

The signing of Barrett allows the Padres the option of starting him at second base, and moving Bip Roberts to either third base or left field. It also provides the Padres’ much-needed depth in the infield, particularly in light of Joey Cora’s injury.

Cora, a reserve infielder, sustained a broken left leg in Puerto Rico during winter ball. According to Padre doctors, the fracture is much worse that originally recognized, which could force him to miss the start of spring training.

“It’s a situation where you certainly can’t count on him,” McIlvaine said. “His status is questionable right now. He’s going to come in again next week.”

McIlvaine, who moved to San Diego on Sunday from New York, also will soon open negotiations with his six arbitration-eligible players: catcher Benito Santiago ($1.25 million), first baseman Fred McGriff ($1.45 million), Roberts ($190,000), pitcher Calvin Schiraldi ($600,000), pitcher Wes Gardner ($500,000) and outfielder Darrin Jackson ($145,000). McIlvaine said that he expects to sign Schiraldi, Gardner and Jackson before the Jan. 15 arbitration filing deadline, but anticipates that Santiago, McGriff and Roberts will file salary figures.

Advertisement

Roberts is expected to receive the highest-percentage increase among Padre players, raising his annual salary to at least $1 million. Both McGriff and Santiago are expected to exceed pitcher Larry Andersen’s contract as the Padres’ highest-paid player.

Andersen, it has been learned, will earn at least $4.35 million during his two-year contract with the Padres. Andersen received a $1 million signing bonus, and yearly salaries of $1.5 million in 1991 and 1992. The Padres have a $2 million option for 1993, and if they fail to exercise it, they must pay Andersen $350,000. Andersen also has bonus awards that will pay him $25,000 for making the All-Star team, $50,000 for winning the Rolaids Relief title and $25,000 for second place, and $50,000 if he is selected Most Valuable Player of the playoffs or World Series.

Advertisement