PADRES : McIlvaine Turns Down Offers of Outfield Help

It’s that time of year again. Phones ring. Scouts talk. Teams prey on weakness, and hope to exploit areas of vulnerability.

They look at a team like the Padres and scrutinize their outfield situation. They see Tony Gwynn in right field. They wonder who’s playing center. They ask who’s in left. They hear the names of Shawn Abner and Jerald Clark . . . and keep right on talking.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, continues to listen.

It was Wednesday afternoon when the Toronto Blue Jays took their turn, sending two of their top scouts on a two-hour drive to watch Padre starter Greg Harris perform. Harris was superb, pitching five innings, allowing only three hits in the Padres’ 4-1, 10-inning victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Just a few minutes after Harris’ outing, Gordon Lakey, Blue Jay special assignment scout, sat with McIlvaine and made every possible attempt to acquire Harris.

“They’re very persistent, I’ll give them that,” McIlvaine said. “But I don’t see anything happening. I don’t see how it’ll help us.”

The Blue Jays, according to a source familiar with the trade talks, are willing to offer the Padres possibly two outfielders--center fielder Mookie Wilson, and their choice of Mark Whiten, Glenallen Hill or Derek Bell. The Padres are intrigued, particularly with Whiten, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound 24-year-old. Whiten was voted the top International League prospect in 1990 by the league’s coaches and managers, batting .290 with four homers and 48 RBIs.

Yet, even considering the inexperience in their outfield, McIlvaine said it’s highly unlikely the Padres would be willing to deal Harris.

“I just don’t see it happening,” McIlvaine said. “I really think we’ll be all right in the outfield anyway.”

Still, no matter how convincing McIlvaine tries to sound, teams keep calling and offering help. The Atlanta Braves were the latest to call Tuesday night, according to a source, offering the Padres center fielder Oddibe McDowell and left fielder Lonnie Smith.

Thanks, but no thanks, McIlvaine said.

“Really, the only problems I think we have,” McIlvaine said, “is the fifth starter and our middle relief. Otherwise, I think we’ll be fine.”

The Padres, according to scouts, also are doing their share of talking. They’ve placed several of their players on the trading block, club officials say, but there has been little interest. They’re shopping starting pitchers Dennis Rasmussen, Derek Lilliquist, Calvin Schiraldi and Atlee Hammaker; they have left-handed relievers available; they are listening to requests for outfielder Thomas Howard and Darrin Jackson; and they are imploring someone to take infielders Garry Templeton and Joey Cora.

Stay tuned. The fun just started.

“Hey, this is what it’s all about, isn’t it,” McIlvaine said.

Hammaker and Rasmussen, candidates for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation, took significant steps Wednesday morning in their rehabilitations.

Hammaker, who has been sidelined the entire spring with a fractured middle finger on his left hand, threw off the mound for 10 minutes for the first time this spring. Although it has been only four days since his splint was removed, Hammaker said he felt no ill effects.

“It went pretty well for the first time out,” Hammaker said. “It felt better than I anticipated it would. I’m excited to be able to get my arm back in throwing shape.

“I’m hoping to be ready to go when the bell rings, thats what I’m shooting for.”

Rasmussen, who developed tendinitis in his left shoulder, threw on the side for the first time in a week. He played catch for 20 minutes at Scottsdale Community College, and felt no pain.

“I passed the first hurdle,” Rasmussen said.

Indians catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. packed his bags, shook a few hands, and looked toward reporters in the corner.

“Well guys, I’ve been traded,” Alomar said, without the hint of a smile.

What?

“Yeah, I’ve been traded back to the Padres for Jerald Clark and Thomas Howard.”

Teammate Chris James, all of a sudden unsure if Alomar was kidding or not, stood up and wondered what in the world was going on.

Alomar, laughing, finally confessed.

He was scratched from the lineup, and yes, he was leaving the ballpark . . . but only to film a commercial for major league baseball.

Padre left-hander Bruce Hurst, talking about his buddy, Roger Clemens, who made lip-reading popular so during the playoffs when he was ejected by umpire Terry Cooney:

“I’m not condoning his actions, but believe me, Roger is a great guy. Contrary to popular belief, he does not need psychological help, and he wasn’t beside himself in anger when Terry Cooney kicked him out.

“He was mad, sure, but I’ve seen him so mad where he’s hyperventilated. People are making a mistake if they try to change him. And you’re not going to control him. He’s just being typecast in the wrong way.

“I’ll tell you what, it would have been nice to lift Terry Cooney’s mask, and see what he was saying. I know I’ve been cursed by him.”

Padre Notes

The Padres will make their first round of cuts today, and at least eight players are expected to be sent to the minors. The probable cuts include: pitchers Terry Gilmore, Tim Scott, Frank Seminara and Rafael Valdez; first baseman Kevin Garner; catcher Chris Jelic; and third baseman Tom Redington. . . . The Blue Jays also are talking trade with Cleveland, and are interested in starters Greg Swindell and Tom Candiotti.

Padre catcher Tom Lampkin, who has this thing about hitting against his former teammates, hit what proved to be the game-winning homer in the top of the 10th inning. Lampkin, a former Indian trying to make the squad as the backup catcher to Benito Santiago, is hitting .500 with a double, homer and three RBIs against his former teammates this spring. Against everyone else, you ask? He’s hitting .125 with no extra-base hits or RBIs. “I don’t why it is,” he said. “It’s not like I’m trying to have a good game just because it’s a team I played for. I just want to make the team. I feel comfortable with what I’ve done.” Lampkin is battling with Dann Bilardello and Brian Dorsett for the backup job.

Padre shortstop Garry Templeton got his first taste of being a designated hitter this spring, and if it’s all right by him, he won’t do it again. “I don’t know how those guys do it in that league,” he said. “You just sit around for three innings before you get to bat, and then you go sit down. It’s not a whole lot of fun. You don’t even think you’re in the game.” If nothing else, it at least provided Templeton with three at-bats, giving him only 10 for the spring. “I’d really like to have more at-bats than that,” Templeton said, “but I’m just going to keep my mouth shut and prepare myself for the season. I know I can still play this game, and I plan to prove it.” Templeton, 34, is competing with Marty Barrett, Paul Faries and Joey Cora for one of the backup infield jobs.

The Padres will play split-squad games today against the Seattle Mariners in Tempe and the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale. Greg Riddoch will manage the game against the Mariners, and Jim Riggleman will manage the game against the Giants. . . . The Padres’ scheduled pitchers for the Seattle game are Derek Lilliquist, Eric Nolte, John Costello and Craig Lefferts. The scheduled pitchers in the Giants’ game are Ricky Bones, Tim Scott, Rich Rodriguez and Frank DiMichele.