Stillwell Offers His Services to the Padres

Free agent infielder Kurt Stillwell said Monday he is willing to sign a one-year contract with the Padres to be their second baseman for the 1992 season.

Stillwell, who has played the past four years with the Kansas City Royals, said he plans to inform the Padres this week that he’ll offer to sign a one-year contract for $2.5 million to $2.8 million. Yet, the contract is contingent on the Padres granting him unconditional free agency in a year, just like the Royals did last month for first baseman Wally Joyner.

Stillwell, 26, considered one of the top infielders available in the free-agent market, rejected the Royals’ offer of arbitration last month and likely will not accept a one-year offer to return. If the Padres decline, he said he also is willing to make the same proposal to the Dodgers and Angels.

“I don’t know how the Padres can pass it up,” said Scott Boras, Stillwell’s agent. “You just give him one year. If you don’t like what you see, you don’t sign him. If you can get a six-year major league veteran who can deliver you 60 RBIs, why not grab him?”

The Padres, however, don’t appear as eager. Although they believe Stillwell is better than any second baseman in their organization, they are reluctant to give up a compensatory first-round draft choice.

“I like Stillwell, I really do,” McIlvaine said. “But give up a No. 1 draft pick for one year? I really don’t want to do that.”

Would McIlvaine consider signing Stillwell for a multi-year contract?

“I don’t know,” McIlvaine said. “It depends on the financial terms. I don’t want to rule anything out right now.”

The Padres, meanwhile, still have unfinished business with their own free agent--infielder Tim Teufel. The Padres, after offering a two-year, non-guaranteed contract for about $1.2 million, have not negotiated with Teufel since before Christmas.

The Padres have until 9 p.m. Wednesday to sign Teufel, or lose negotiation rights until May 1. Teufel also is being pursued by the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds and Royals.

Meanwhile, McIlvaine said he still is hopeful of consummating a trade with the Boston Red Sox for first baseman/outfielder Carlos Quintana and third baseman Scott Cooper, but has not talked to Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman since the holidays. He confirmed he has no interest in trading for New York Yankee second baseman Steve Sax.

McIlvaine also said Monday he likely will allow the six eligible Padres to file for arbitration before negotiating a contract for the 1992 season. Those eligible are catchers Benito Santiago and Dann Bilardello; pitchers Randy Myers, Greg Harris and Mike Maddux; and outfielder Darrin Jackson.