Padres Sign Templeton to 2-Year Contract

SAN DIEGO — The Padres, unwilling to risk the chance of being unable to find a better shortstop than the one they have already, signed Garry Templeton to a two-year contract Monday, according to sources.

The Padres are not expected to announce the signing until today, but Richie Bry, Templeton’s agent, said, “I don’t want to upstage their announcement, but I can confirm that it is a two-year guaranteed contract.”

Tony Siegle, Padre vice president, personnel, was out of town and unavailable for comment. Templeton, reached at home, refused comment.

Templeton, 33, is expected to receive about $1.2 million during the contract, which will also include playing incentives and award bonuses.

Under terms of his previous contract, which he signed last December, Templeton received a base salary of $500,000 in 1989 with a $100,000 bonus for playing 140 games. He was scheduled to receive a base salary of $600,000 in 1990, an option year, with a $25,000 incentive for playing 100 games, $25,000 for playing in 120 games, $25,000 for 130 games played, and $25,000 for 140 games.

“It’s a very similar contract, particularly for what he was supposed to receive next year,” Bry said.

Templeton, who has been the Padre captain the past three seasons, produced one of his finest offensive seasons this past year since being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to San Diego in 1982 for shortstop Ozzie Smith. He batted .255 with six homers and 40 RBIs, posting his highest batting average since 1985, and equaling the most homers he has hit in a season since 1979.

“I think the Padres realized he’s part of the lifeblood of this team,” Bry said. “Certainly, he’s one of the leaders of the team, and they wanted to preserve that.”

Padre Manager Jack McKeon, who said he was unaware of Templeton’s signing, said: “I think it’s a good move. I know as a manager, I’m certainly glad to have him back.

But yet, because of Templeton’s age and his knees, which required off-season arthroscopic surgery, McKeon said that he still will keep his options open in attempts to acquire a young shortstop in the off-season. Even without a trade, McKeon said, he plans to provide Templeton more rest during the season, reducing his playing time from 142 games to perhaps 120.

“He understands that,” McKeon said, “and he has no problems with that. He wants to be part of a winner.

“In my opinion, he’s still a top-notch shortstop.”