Padres, Red Sox Look at Deal Involving Hurst

The Padres became immersed in negotiations Saturday with the Boston Red Sox to send left-handed starter Bruce Hurst to Boston for outfielder Phil Plantier and at least one pitcher, according to two sources.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, confirmed Saturday night he had trade talks with Lou Gorman of the Red Sox about Hurst.

“All I can tell you is that we talked to Boston, and Hurst was part of the conversation,” McIlvaine said. “I also have meetings scheduled with two American League clubs. But I’m not going to get into specifics.

The Padres, hoping to unload Hurst and his $2.75-million salary before the conclusion of the winter meetings, are expected to talk with the Toronto Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics today.

Hurst, 14-9, 3.85 ERA, was signed and developed by the Boston Red Sox but left as a free agent four years ago. He is the last high-priced free agent the Padres signed.

Hurst has been the staff ace since his arrival, and is the only active major league pitcher who has won at least 10 games in each of the past 10 seasons.

The biggest question is Hurst’s health. He underwent off-season rotator cuff surgery in September to repair two small tears, but is expected to begin pitching again in January. The Red Sox requested medical reports on Hurst, and one source said they are satisfied.

“I feel I’ll be ready,” Hurst said. “I have my good days and bad days, but my plan is to start throwing at the first or middle of January. I know I’ll be healthy for someone, whether it’s here or elsewhere.”

Although not eager to trade Hurst, McIlvaine is under a directive from ownership to eliminate another $5 million from the payroll, according to one owner.

“We’re going to have to move somebody,” McIlvaine said, “and we’ll see whether teams will trade now for Hurst or wait until spring training.”

The Padres left Hurst exposed in all three rounds of the expansion draft last month, allowing the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins to draft him for nothing. Those teams passed on him and the Padres could not work out a deal involving Hurst.

The only difference now is teams realize that with the recent free agent signings of Doug Drabek, Greg Swindell, Chris Bosio and Jose Guzman, Hurst has become a bargain. Teams also can pick up the option on Hurst’s contract for 1994 for $3 million, or pay a $350,000 buyout. Yet, Hurst is one of the precious few players who has in his contract clauses that he be paid in case of a work stoppage.

Plantier, who lives in Poway in the off-season, would solve the Padres’ need for a left fielder. He batted .246 for the Red Sox last season with seven homers and 30 RBIs. The Red Sox have soured on him, no longer believing that he’ll become an All-Star outfielder.

If the Padres acquire Plantier, they likely would have him bat fifth in the lineup and move Darrin Jackson to leadoff.