McIlvaine, Riddoch Begin Talks

Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine invited Greg Riddoch to return as manager for the 1992 season during a three-hour meeting Thursday, but they have yet to reach a contractual agreement.

McIlvaine offered Riddoch a one-year contract, but it was less than Riddoch was seeking. Although there are no formal meetings scheduled today, they are expected to meet throughout the weekend and are hopeful of reaching an agreement before the season ends Sunday.

“We exchanged ideas and we’ll be talking some more,” Riddoch said. “Basically, we just opened negotiations and were feeling each other out.

“There’s nothing to announce because nothing’s been done.”

Riddoch, who earned $160,000 this season, was one the lowest-paid managers this season. He’s known to be seeking a raise that would pay him comparable to other managers of his experience level, which would be in the $220,000-to-$275,000 range.

“I think we’re all glad he’s coming back,” Padre reliever Craig Lefferts said. “He’s done a super job all year. He’s the type of manager we can all talk to.

“He’s been totally up front with me. I’ve never had a manager like that before. They (the coaching staff) ask for input from us. Usually, they don’t want input from players and actually look down upon it.

“It’s been great.”

Although McIlvaine did not discuss the fate of the coaching staff during the meeting, the entire staff is expected to be retained.