Padres Sign Third Baseman Jim Presley

In a move that might send Bip Roberts to his third position before spring training even begins, the Padres signed free agent third baseman Jim Presley to a one-year contract on Friday.

Presley, a veteran of seven major league seasons, hit .242 in 140 games with the Atlanta Braves last season, driving in 72 runs and hitting 19 home runs.

“Basically, the main thing we’re concerned about with our ball club is the ability to drive in runs, and Jim is a proven major league player,” Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine said. “I think he gives our team a little bit more depth and flexibility.”

And now, Roberts might be headed for left field. Roberts was originally slated for second base, but then the Padres signed Marty Barrett in January. That left either third or left for Roberts, but Presley’s arrival might eliminate third as an option.

“That remains to be seen,” McIlvaine said. “Presley’s a candidate to play third base. I can’t tell you that he’s going to go out there every day.”

Before joining the Braves last season, Presley, 29, spent five and a half seasons with the Seattle Mariners after five years in the minors. He averaged .250 during his stay in the American League and hit 115 home runs.

Presley said he has been talking with the Padres for about a week and a half and that the first contact was made in December at the winter meetings in Chicago. He added that the free-agent market was tight this year.

“(The Padres) were one of the top one or two (teams),” he said. “I wanted to go to this ballclub.”

Last season, Presley had the dubious distinction of leading all National League third basemen with 25 errors. McIlvaine acknowledged that was a concern.

“Yes, of course,” he said. “But I think playing on the infield surface in Atlanta is probably the toughest one in the National League. I think that was a contributing factor.”

Presley agreed.

“You know, you’re going to make errors,” he said. “But that field gives you more than your share. It was pretty rough.”

In another move Friday, the Padres claimed outfielder Jim Vatcher on waivers from Atlanta. Vatcher, 24, played for both the Phillies and the Braves in 1990, hitting .260 with one home run and seven RBIs in 57 games.

PRESLEY’S CAREER

YR TEAM AVG G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI SB 1984 Seattle .227 70 251 57 12 1 10 36 1 1985 Seattle .275 155 570 157 33 1 28 84 1 1986 Seattle .265 155 616 163 33 4 27 107 0 1987 Seattle .247 152 575 142 23 6 24 88 2 1988 Seattle .230 150 544 125 26 0 14 62 3 1989 Seattle .236 117 390 92 20 1 12 41 0 1990 Atlanta .242 140 541 131 34 1 19 72 1 7 Seasons .249 939 3,487 867 181 14 134 490 9