Padres Seeking Sheffield : Baseball: Milwaukee would get pitcher Harris in deal for third baseman.

The Padres hate to do it. They’ve done their best to resist such temptations. Only this time, they’re listening, and can’t help but become intrigued.

After rejecting numerous trade proposals involving starting pitcher Greg Harris, the Padres have become engaged in preliminary negotiations with the Milwaukee Brewers about a deal that would send Harris to the Brewers for third baseman Gary Sheffield and starter Chris Bosio, according to a highly-placed source.

The Padres likely would also have to give up minor league infielder Dave Staton, who hit 22 homers and drove in 74 runs for triple-A Las Vegas. The source said other players might also be involved in the trade.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, confirmed Monday that the Padres have had trade talks with the Brewers about Sheffield, but said no trade was imminent. In fact, he said he has not spoken with Brewer general manager Sal Bando since last week.

“I really don’t want to say anything,” McIlvaine said. “I don’t want to start Greg Harris trade rumors again. Yes, I have talked to the Brewers, and we’ve talked about those names to some extent, but nothing’s close right now.

“Believe me, I’m not trying to trade Greg Harris. There’s just a lot of interest in him.”

Certainly, it would take a player with the talent of Sheffield for McIlvaine to consider trading Harris, who has a 27-22 record with a 2.34 ERA. McIlvaine long has been an admirer of Sheffield, the sixth player selected in the 1986 June free agent draft and the cousin of New York Met pitcher Dwight Gooden, and believes Sheffield could be invaluable to the Padre offense.

But while Sheffield is considered one of the most talented third basemen in the major leagues, there have been only brief glimpses of his potential in Milwaukee. He has a career .259 batting average, averaging only six homers and 40 RBIs in his three seasons with the Brewers. The worst rap on Sheffield, however, is his reputation. The Brewers have been openly critical of his attitude, and he has been perceived as a trouble-maker.

Yet, Sheffield is only 23, and played less than three years in the minors before reaching the big leagues. The Padres are wary, but believe a change of scenery could be the key to an attitude adjustment.

The Padres also are aware that Sheffield’s trade value never has been lower. He played in only 50 games last season because of strained ligaments in his left wrist and an impinged shoulder, which required surgery in August. Sheffield also missed the final month of the 1990 season because of an illness the nature of which was not disclosed.

The Padres, who are trying to acquire Sheffield without giving up Harris, likely would not consider trading Harris without also receiving Bosio, the ace of the Brewers’ staff.

Bosio, 28, is considered expendable because he’s eligible for free agency at the end of the 1992 season. He was 14-10 with a 3.25 ERA last season, the second time in three years he has pitched at least 200 innings. The risk, of course, is that he’s eligible to leave in a year, and is expected to receive a raise to about $2 million in arbitration after making $925,000 in 1991.

Sheffield is the only third baseman the Padres are known to be pursuing. The Padres had engaged in trade talks with the Boston Red Sox about third baseman Scott Cooper, but Lou Gorman, Red Sox general manager, said the Padres’ interest in Cooper has waned. Instead, the Padres are talking to the Red Sox primarily about first baseman/outfielder Carlos Quintana.

The trade possibilities likely were broached Monday when McIlvaine spent most of the day in meetings with the Padre ownership. They were expected to discuss, among other topics, the team payroll, which would increase if the Milwaukee trade is consummated.

The Padres also discussed whether to make a two-year contract offer to free agent infielder Kurt Stillwell, who would play second base. Stillwell informed the Padres that he’s willing to accept a two-year contract for about $5 million if he can become a free agent again after the 1993 season.

The problem, of course, is whether the Padres can make all their plans under the current budget, which is expected to soar after their six eligible candidates file for arbitration before tonight’s deadline. Catcher Benito Santiago leads the group, and will seek the largest arbitration award in franchise history. He’s expected to file for at least $3 million, while the Padres will probably counter at about $2.5 million.

“Joe and I decided we’re going to try to work out a one-year contract and make every effort to amicably do so,” said Scott Boras, Santiago’s agent. “We haven’t even discussed a multi-year contract. If it comes up, it will be at the end of the year, but I don’t think the Padres are interested. This is our third time through this process, so we’re used to it by now. It’s got to be some kind of record.”

Santiago, who believes he’ll be traded in mid-season, is eligible for free agency after the 1992 season. He’s seeking a five-year deal for at least $20 million to avoid free agency, but the Padres have informed him that they consider his demands exorbitant.

“We understand,” Boras said. “We have no problem with that. Joe and I have always disagreed on Benny’s value, and in a year we’ll find out who’s right.”

The Padres, however, may prevent reliever Randy Myers from becoming a free agent at the end of the season. Myers, who earned $2 million last season, is expected to file for at least $2.5 million in arbitration, but the Padres might try to work out a multi-year contract before the arbitration hearing.

“I’ve spoken to them about it,” said David Fishoff, Myers’ agent, “but I’m waiting to hear back. They’re interested, I know that.”

Also expected to file for arbitration today are Harris, who earned $342,500 last season; outfielder Darrin Jackson, who earned $260,000; pitcher Mike Maddux, who earned $110,000; and catcher Dann Bilardello, who earned $95,000 on a split contract. The salary figures will be exchanged Friday, and the arbitration hearings will begin Feb. 1.

The biggest percentage raise probably will go to Jackson, who’s expected to file for more than $900,000 while the Padres counter with about $675,000.

“We’ll negotiate after everyone files,” McIlvaine said. “That way, the parameters are set.”