Writers Honor the Padres’ McGriff, Benes

First baseman Fred McGriff was selected as the Padres’ Most Valuable Player for the 1991 season, and Andy Benes won the Clyde McCullough Award as pitcher of the year, the San Diego chapter of the Baseball Writers Association announced Saturday.

McGriff drove in a career-high 106 runs while hitting 31 homers, the most by a Padre since Dave Winfield in 1979. Benes finished the season with a 15-11 record, winning 11 of his last 12 decisions with a 1.77 ERA. They’ll be honored Tuesday at a banquet sponsored by KFMB.

In other news, the Padres had another negotiating session Saturday with outfielder Darrin Jackson, hoping to alleviate the need for Monday’s scheduled arbitration hearing. Alan Meersand, Jackson’s agent, offered to settle the case for $825,000. The Padres declined, and their offer remains at $775,000.

If they still are unable to resolve their differences by 10 a.m. Monday, an arbitrator will determine whether Jackson will receive $975,000 in salary, or the Padres’ offer of $560,000.