Padres Sign Lefferts, Talk With Dravecky, Hawkins

SAN DIEGO — The Padres signed reliever Craig Lefferts to a one-year, $490,000 contract Thursday.

Meanwhile, negotiations continued with pitchers Dave Dravecky and Andy Hawkins, both of whom are scheduled for arbitration hearings next week.

Lefferts, a left-hander who was 9-8 with a 3.09 earned-run average last season, is the third Padre to have avoided an arbitration hearing. Lefferts, pitcher Storm Davis and outfielder Marvell Wynne all filed for arbitration earlier this month, but each signed a one-year contract.

“You always like to get it settled if you can,” said Jack McKeon, Padre general manager.

Dravecky, whose arbitration hearing is scheduled for Monday morning at Los Angeles, has asked for a $615,000 contract in 1987. The Padres have countered with a $475,000 offer.

Dravecky, a left-hander, finished last season with a 9-11 record and a 3.07 ERA, but had serious elbow problems after the All-Star break and pitched in only 26 games.

Hawkins, whose hearing is scheduled for Friday, has asked for a $535,000 contract, and the Padres have countered with a $450,000 offer. In 1986, Hawkins finished with a 10-8 record and a 4.34 ERA.

Jerry Kapstein, who represents Dravecky and Hawkins, said Thursday: “Jack and I continued our talks today. . . . The atmosphere is businesslike and friendly.”