Rangers Have an Interest in Templeton

Garry Templeton knows he no longer is wanted. The Padres have told anyone interested to make an offer. Yet, here it is, one week before the start of spring training, and the veteran shortstop is packing his bags for Yuma, Ariz.

Templeton, 34, who has the longest tenure on the Padres, is a man with a contract, but without a job.

“It’s a strange feeling, man, a strange feeling,” Templeton said. “I really don’t kow what’s going on.

“It’s seems like they don’t want me, but going back to Yuma is no problem. I know I can still play, and I’ll prove it. I can still open a lot of eyes.”

Templeton, a 15-year veteran, batted .248 with nine homers and 49 RBIs last season. It was his highest RBI total since 1982, and he never had hit more homers in his career. Yet, because of the Padres’ acquisition of All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez, they no longer need Templeton. Although the Padres still could use a backup, they’re concerned about Templeton being a negative influence in camp with his demotion.

“I keep hearing that, but I can deal with not playing,” Templeton said. “I’ve been in this league too long to get bitter. The only thing that would tee me off is if I don’t get my due respect, and I’m not treated fairly.”

Said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager: “We want to give him the opportunity to play every day somewhere else. We’re not going to hold him back. I think he understands that if you’re a part-time player, your career’s going to go downhill faster.”

The Padres can not trade Templeton without his permission, since he’s been in the major leagues for at least 10 years, and with the same team for more than five. McIlvaine gave the Texas Rangers permission nearly four weeks ago to negotiate a contract with Templeton, but after Templeton and his agent made an initial contract request, they have yet to hear back.

Templeton, according to sources, is seeking a one-year contract extension with a $500,000 signing bonus. Considering that his base salary is only $500,000 this season in the final year of a two-year contract, Templeton didn’t believe the demand to be excessive.

“Hell, I’m a steal the way it is now,” Templeton said. “I’d like to go to Texas, or anywhere else where I can start, but hell, if I’m going to be making the same money, I might as well make it here. My home’s here, my roots are here, everything’s here.”

The Rangers, according to sources, still are interested in Templeton. Their shortstops a year ago made 31 errors and drove in 39 runs. And they’re heading into spring training with Jeff Huson, who batted .199 in his last 72 games, as the incumbent.

Yet, according to one Ranger executive, they believe that the Padres will release Templeton in the spring, anyway, and will wait until then to make their bid.

“That doesn’t mean they’re going to get him,” said his agent, Richie Bry. “Garry can still sit home and get paid. Really, I don’t know how the Padres can afford to do that anyway. They only have one guy who can play short, and the rest of their infield is pretty shaky.”

In other news, the Padres had a negotiating session Tuesday with John Boggs, the agent for outfielder Tony Gwynn, but have yet to reach an agreement on a contract extension that would provide Gwynn with nearly $12 million over three years. They have another meeting scheduled today.

“We’re moving in a positive direction,” McIlvaine said, “and we hope to get it done this week.”

Said Boggs: “We’re still working on it, but that’s all I can say right now.”

The Padres also announced the signings of outfielder Thomas Howard and pitcher Eric Nolte to one-year contracts. McIlvaine has placed a deadline of March 7 for all contracts to be signed or be renewed.