Deshaies Jumps to Twins : Baseball: Left-hander will make at least $700,000 next season.

Just when the Padres were starting to feel good about their rotation, left-handed starter Jim Deshaies abruptly departed Tuesday night for the Minnesota Twins.

Deshaies, according to a source familiar with the negotiations, signed a one-year contract for a base salary of $700,000 with incentives that could pay him an additional $250,000. Deshaies also can exercise an option for 1994 that will pay him $700,000 or provide a $300,000 buyout.

“I didn’t particularly want to leave the Padres,” Deshaies said, “because they gave me the opportunity when no one else did.

“The thing that really pulled me toward San Diego was Riggs (Padre Manager Jim Riggleman). I really wanted to play for him. But with the Twins’ offer, it was a no-brainer.”

The Padres’ best offer to Deshaies was for $300,000, and as it turns out, he didn’t even have the opportunity to pursue arbitration. The Padres offered arbitration Tuesday only after Deshaies promised not to accept.

“I know they really wanted me,” Deshaies said, “but they just don’t have any money to offer. It’s sad, because that’s where I wanted to pitch.”

Last season, Deshaies appeared in 15 games for the Padres, going 4-7 with a 3.28 ERA.

Deshaies’ departure leaves a gaping hole in the Padre rotation. The Padres had offered arbitration minutes before Monday’s deadline, and reiterated Tuesday the importance of having a left-hander in their rotation.

Now, with the expected departure before opening day of lefty Bruce Hurst, the Padres will be without a left-handed starter, or even a candidate.

“It all boils down to economics, and what we can afford,” McIlvaine said. “We’ve got a ($21-million) budget, and we intend to abide by it.”

The Padres’ thrift also left them watching bullpen stopper Randy Myers and catcher Benito Santiago move closer to free-agent contracts.

The Boston Red Sox’s attempts to sign Myers stalled when he was offered a three-year contract by the Chicago Cubs, according to a source. Myers probably will make his decision today, but is expected to choose the Cubs so he can remain in the National League.

“It’s no longer a decision of money,” said David Fishoff, Myers’ agent. “He just wants to think about it overnight, and will make a decision (today).

“The Red Sox have been very generous, and he’s just weighing the situation to see where he really wants to play next year.”

Although it’s possible Myers will sign with the Red Sox, Boston General Manager Lou Gorman didn’t hide his displeasure in the delay.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Gorman said, “but I’ve already made more changes in that contract than I wanted to. I’ve already discussed Plan B, and I may be tempted to do that.”

Santiago, meanwhile, is trying to decide between the Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins. Each club has offered a one-year contract, guaranteeing that Santiago can pursue free agency after the 1993 season.

The Padres’ only action of the day was issuing medical reports on Hurst to the Chicago White Sox and three other teams, still hoping to deal him before the conclusion of the winter meetings. The Red Sox and Padres continue to talk about a two-for-two deal that would send Hurst and reliever Jose Melendez to Boston for left fielder Phil Plantier and starter John Dopson.

“Contrary to what (Red Sox Manager) Butch Hobson saying that the medical reports are bad,” Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine said, “Hurst is right where he should be. He’ll be fine by spring training.”

So what if Hurst’s progress is slower than anticipated and the Padres are not able to trade him?

“We’d have to move someone else,” McIlvaine said, “and that’s not a pleasant thought.”