Reds Reportedly Ready To Ship Myers to Padres

The Cincinnati Reds informed the Padres they’re willing to trade reliever Randy Myers for outfielder Bip Roberts, and either outfielder Thomas Howard or left-handed reliever Rich Rodriguez, a source close to the negotiations said.

Joe McIlvaine, Padres general manager, would not divulge details, but said he had trade discussions Monday with Bob Quinn, Reds general manager.

The Reds also have proposals from the Montreal Expos and Seattle Mariners for Myers, but their preference is to make a deal with the Padres because of their interest in Roberts.

Roberts, who played in only 117 games this past season, batted .281 with 66 runs and 26 stolen bases. The Reds plan to start him in left field, and use him as a backup infielder.

Myers would fill the Padres’ void for a bullpen stopper. He had averaged 27 saves each of the past three seasons before he was replaced in the role by Rob Dibble last year.

If the Padres get Myers, sources say they’ll then attempt to trade left-hander Craig Lefferts. Lefferts, who saved 23 games for the Padres last season, is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $1.75 million this season. He is not eligible for free agency until after the 1994 season.

In other news, the Padres are expected to wait until Dec. 7 to continue contract talks with Tim Teufel. They will offer arbitration rights to the free-agent infielder on that date. Teufel, seeking a three-year contract, also has been contacted by the New York Yankees and the Reds.