Padres Begin Talks With Teufel

The Padres opened contract negotiations Tuesday with free-agent infielder Tim Teufel, and have made him one of their top priorities in the off-season.

Teufel, who batted .228 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs after being traded May 31 to the Padres, is believed to be seeking a three-year contract worth between $2.5 million and $3 million. It’s possible he’ll accept a two-year contract with a one-year option.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, said he began talks with agent Tony Attanasio Tuesday morning, but their contractual discussions were only in general terms.

Teufel, 33, also is expected to be sought by the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays and the Cincinnati Reds. Yet, if the offers are equal, Teufel said his preference is to remain with the Padres.

Teufel suddenly has become vital to the Padres’ plans because of the expected departure of infielders Bip Roberts and Jack Howell. The Padres, according to sources, will soon trade Roberts to the Cincinnati Reds in a package for outfielder Eric Davis, and Howell is negotiating a contract with the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese League.

In other news, McIlvaine said the Padres will begin negotiations of a long-term contract with catcher Benito Santiago before the winter meetings. However, McIlvaine still does not know whether the two sides can reach an agreement. Santiago, according to sources, is seeking at least a four-year contract in excess of $18 million. The Padres offered a four-year, $12-million contract a year ago, and are expected to raise their offer slightly.

McIlvaine also confirmed that payroll constraints likely will prevent them from acquiring Davis ($3.1 million), and signing free-agent outfielder Danny Tartabull.

“It really is a question of dollars and what this market can bear,” McIlvaine said.

In the Padres’ latest roster move, they decided to add shortstop Ray Holbert, 21, to their 40-man roster. Holbert, who was selected in the third round of the 1988 draft, batted .264 with four homers and 51 RBIs for the Class A High Desert Mavericks. The Padres must submit their 40-man roster today, but are expected to make at least four changes before the deadline.

McIlvaine said he has placed four players on waivers, and will learn today whether they were claimed by other teams. If unclaimed, McIlvaine can take them off the 40-man roster and designated them for reassignment. McIlvaine also said he’s considering placing claims on two pitchers who currently are being passed through waivers.