Padre General Manager McIlvaine Is Replaced by Rockies’ Smith, 30

The San Diego Padres replaced general manager Joe McIlvaine on Wednesday after a long-running dispute over cutting costs and hired the Colorado Rockies’ assistant general manager, Randy Smith, to take his place.

Smith, 30, was the Padres’ director of scouting before moving to the expansion Rockies. He will become the youngest general manager in major league history. Smith signed a five-year contract but terms were not disclosed.

McIlvaine was not fired, said Tom Werner, managing partner of the 15-member owners’ group.

“The parting was mutual and amicable,” Werner said. “Joe has been increasingly unhappy here.”

Werner said he told McIlvaine about two weeks ago that there was no point in him staying unless he was “charged up and ready to go.”

Said McIlvaine: “My only regret is that I wasn’t able to put the Padres in postseason play. I’ll be rooting for them. I hope they do well.”

McIlvaine has been at odds with the owners for almost a year because of orders to cut the payroll.

McIlvaine has made it clear publicly in the past that the budget cuts were hurting the team.

His departure came only days after players Tony Gwynn and Andy Benes, frustrated by their team’s poor performance, criticized the ownership group and the Padres’ lack of direction.

Deeper budget cuts are expected because the Padres will have a $7.1-million shortfall next season in broadcast revenue.

During the last year, the team has traded high-salaried players such as shortstop Tony Fernandez, outfielder Darrin Jackson and pitcher Craig Lefferts. Catcher Benito Santiago and pitcher Randy Myers were lost through free agency.

The Padres also reportedly are hoping to trade first baseman Fred McGriff or third baseman Gary Sheffield to further cut the payroll.