Padres, Red Sox Talk in Earnest

The Padres, watching in horror Wednesday as the Cincinnati Reds might have put the finishing touches on a division championship, decided they can wait no longer.

They have scheduled a meeting this morning with the Boston Red Sox, and if everything goes according to plan, they’ll be returning home with third baseman Scott Cooper and either center fielder Ellis Burks or infielder/outfielder Carlos Quintana.

The Padres and the Red Sox are discussing several trade proposals, including a six-player deal that would dramatically alter the structure of their team. Although Boston General Manager Lou Gorman said the Padres were interested in left fielder Mike Greenwell, it has become apparent the Padres really desire Burks and Cooper.

The Padres are offering center fielder Darrin Jackson, reliever Craig Lefferts and pitcher Jose Melendez to the Red Sox for Burks and Cooper, a source said. The Red Sox are countering by including left-handed starter Kevin Morton and demanding starter Andy Benes instead of Melendez. They might compromise by settling on Quintana, allowing the Padres to keep Benes out of the deal.

“We’ve talked about several proposals, including one with six players,” McIlvaine said. “It would be tough with Burks in there without giving up one of our top pitchers. Cooper is obtainable, it’s just a question of who for who.”

The Padres also hope to sign free agent outfielder Danny Tartabull before Christmas.

“I know where he wants to play; we just have to sit tight,” McIlvaine said. “The less interest there is, obviously the better chance we have. And I don’t know if his door is being knocked down right now.”

The Kansas City Royals have dropped out of the bidding for Tartabull, and, ironically, the team that could prevent the Padres from signing Tartabull is the Red Sox. Gorman said he probably would pursue Tartabull if Greenwell is traded.

In the meantime, while the Padres wait to see if a resolution can be found with the Red Sox, the Padres also began pursuing third baseman Gary Sheffield of the Milwaukee Brewers, sources said. They also have interest in filling their hole at second base with Casey Candaele of the Houston Astros or Craig Grebeck of the Chicago White Sox.

“I just have a feeling inside we’re not going to leave here without doing something,” McIlvaine said.

The Padres seem intent on leaving the winter meetings with a third baseman. Their top choice might be Sheffield, who easily is the most talented of the third basemen available. But he’s on the trading block because of attitude problems. Realistically, they may have to settle on Cooper. Cooper batted .277 with the Red Sox’s triple-A Pawtucket team, hitting 15 homers with 72 RBIs.

“I know it’s going to be tough to get Burks,” McIlvaine said. “But we have other things in mind. There are still two right-handed power hitters out there, and we may come away with one.”

In another development, the Padres also were offered free agent third baseman Steve Buechele late Wednesday night. Agent Alan Meersand informed the Padres that Buechele was willing to sign a four-year, $11 million contract on the spot. The Padres rejected the offer.

The Padres were interested the New York Mets’ Gregg Jefferies and Keith Miller, but they disappeared Wednesday night in one of the biggest trades in winter meeting history.

The Mets traded outfielder Kevin McReynolds, Jefferies and Miller to the Kansas City Royals for two-time Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen and infielder Bill Pecota.

“You’re not going to top this one,” McIlvaine said. “That’s a lot of offense to give up, but when you come to face the Mets, you’re going to face one of the best pitching staffs in baseball.”

The Mets, who already picked up free agents Bobby Bonilla and Eddie Murray, now have a pitching staff composed of Saberhagen, Dwight Gooden, David Cone, Sid Fernandez and either Pete Schourek or Wally Whitehurst.

And while the Mets have built themselves into a powerhouse in the National League East, the Reds have emerged as overwhelming favorites of the National League West. They pulled off their latest trade Wednesday when they acquired center fielder Dave Martinez and left-handed reliever Scott Ruskin from the Montreal Expos.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win it,” Reds Manager Lou Piniella said, “but I know we’re as good as any team in the league.”

Now, it’s the Padres’ turn. They did make a trade Wednesday, but dealing reliever Steve Rosenberg to the Mets for utility infielder Jeff Gardner hardly will send fans flocking to the ticket window.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” McIlvaine said, “but don’t think we’re done yet.