Bilardello Loses His Arbitration Hearing

Padre catcher Dann Bilardello may be $110,000 poorer than he hoped, but the way he figures it, he became the best bargain in baseball.

Bilardello learned Sunday morning that he lost his arbitration case when arbitrator Stephen Goldberg ruled in the Padres’ favor, picking the club’s offer of $125,000 rather than the $235,000 sought by Bilardello.

The salary of $125,000--only $16,000 above the major league minimum salary--was the lowest for a player in arbitration since Feb. 6, 1986, when Philadelphia Phillies catcher Alan Knicely was given $80,000 by arbitrator John Gundermann rather than his request for $140,000.

“Nothing’s ever been easy in my career,” said Bilardello, a 4 1/2-year veteran, “so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. It didn’t really matter what the outcome was. I was going to approach spring training the same whether I won or lost.

“I’m not going to hold any grudges, but they’ve sure got an awfully cheap player on their hands.”

Bilardello, who will compete this spring with left-handed hitter Tom Lampkin for the backup catcher’s job, had only 26 at-bats last season as Benito Santiago’s backup. Yet it’s possible he could receive much more playing time this season if the Padres trade Santiago.

“I’m still glad we went through the process,” said Bilardello, who rejected the Padres’ offer of about $165,000 on Thursday to settle the case. “I have no regrets. My salary wasn’t going to make or break the Padres.”

Bilardello, who batted .269 with five RBIs last season, is known for his defensive skills. The Padre pitching staff owned a 2.54 earned-run average with Bilardello behind the plate, the lowest in the National League.

“We think a lot of Dann, he handles the pitchers well,” said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager. “If Benny were to be traded, he could play a big part in our club.”

The Padres have one more arbitration case pending, Friday, with pitcher Greg Harris. Yet, the case is expected to be settled before the hearing with the sides reaching a compromise. Harris requested $1.19 million; the Padres filed for $750,000.