Gwynn’s Agent Talks to Padres : Baseball: Agent voices hopes extension can be negotiated for outfielder’s contract.

There have been no promises to tear up his contract. No one has uttered dollar figures. The Padres, however, are attempting to sign All-Star right fielder Tony Gwynn to a contract extension rather than risking his departure to free-agency.

Gwynn, whose antiquated contract has made him one of baseball’s best bargains over the past few seasons, has begun negotiations that could keep him a Padre through at least 1994.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, and John Boggs, Gwynn’s agent, met privately Wednesday in their initial negotiating session, according to a Padre source, and are scheduled to meet again Monday.

It’s the first formal meeting between Boggs and the Padres since Gwynn voiced displeasure of his contract a year ago. Although Gwynn will earn $2 million this season--a $1 million raise over last year--his average salary is only the fourth-highest on the team, and will be the fifth-highest if catcher Benito Santiago wins his arbitration case.

Gwynn, 30, who signed a contract extension in December, 1988, also is scheduled to receive $2 million in 1992, the final year of his contract. If the Padres fail to sign him to another contract, he’s eligible to file for free agency for the first time in his career.

“The fact that the Padres have initiated this is encouraging,” Boggs said. “They’ve gotten to the point where they want to talk about Tony’s situation.

“But the goal is to get something accomplished; that’s what this is all about.”

The Padres’ initiative to discuss Gwynn’s contract comes at a time when they’re also in negotiations with Santiago and first baseman Fred McGriff. Each has requested multi-year contracts, and like Gwynn, each is eligible for free agency after the 1992 season.

Scott Boras, Santiago’s agent, talked in generalities with McIlvaine about a four-year contract in excess of $16 million, according to sources. Yet, no firm proposal was provided by Boras, and McIlvaine never made an offer. Instead, the Padres appear headed toward their Feb. 6 arbitration date. Santiago is seeking $2.5 million in arbitration, doubling his 1990 salary, and the Padres have countered with $1.65 million.

“I told them it would take a very special deal to get it done,” Boras said. “It’s a very difficult and complex case, simply because Benito is a very special player. A catcher of his skills, he’s in a class by himself and has to establish his own marketplace. There really are no boundaries.

“My (arbitration) case is prepared and ready to go. What the Padres do is up to them.”

McGriff, who is seeking a franchise-record $3.3 million in arbitration, continues to have discussions with the Padres about a multi-year contract. The negotiations have been encouraging, McIlvaine said, although it’s unknown if the parties will be able to settle before McGriff’s Feb. 15 arbitration case.

“I know we’re talking about a multi-year,” McGriff said, “but it’s really in the Padres’ hands. In the long run, they’ll save money by doing it. If I go out and hit 30 home runs again, that’s five straight years, and that’s going to add up to big dollars.

“I’m not going to force the issue and say I’m going to go free agent or anything, but I’m not going to lie and say I wouldn’t want a multi-year contract and stay in San Diego.”