Teufel Rejects Padre Arbitration

Free-agent infielder Tim Teufel formally rejected the Padres’ offer of arbitration before the midnight deadline Thursday, leaving the Padres with a Jan. 8 deadline to sign him.

“Teufel is rejecting arbitration merely because the club told us that if we accepted arbitration, they would take him to the arbitration table,” agent Tony Attanasaio said. “That would mean a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. That’s insane . . . Tim loves San Diego, and wants to play in San Diego, but all he’s asking is to be treated fairly.”

Teufel, who originally was seeking a three-year guaranteed contract, is asking for a two-year guarantee worth about $1.6 million with a one-year option. The Padres have offered a two-year contract worth slightly more than $1 million, according to sources.

“It’s not a difficult deal, it really isn’t,” Attanasio said. “But if Tim doesn’t get it here, we’re going to keep listening to other teams.”

Teufel has been contacted by several other teams, including the New York Mets and New York Yankees.