PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Red Sox End Their Attempt to Acquire Padres’ Jerald Clark

The Boston Red Sox have terminated trade talks with the Padres regarding Jerald Clark, according to sources.

The Red Sox instead signed Steve Lyons, free agent first baseman/outfielder, on Monday and are talking to the Kansas City Royals about outfielder Jim Eisenreich.

Lyons becomes the first player in Red Sox history to have three different stints in the organization. They’re billing his return as Psycho III.

The Red Sox, sources said, were not going to give up any of their top pitching prospects for Clark, who’s batting .188 with four homers and 14 RBIs.

“I’m glad nothing happened,� Clark said, “because I didn’t want to go anywhere. I love it here. I really think everything’s going to turn out.

“To me, this is great news.�

Padres catcher Benito Santiago likely will have to undergo a rehabilitative assignment in the minor leagues before rejoining the big-league club, Manager Greg Riddoch said Monday.

Santiago, who broke the little finger on his right hand May 30 against St. Louis, still is undergoing treatment each day at Scripps Clinic. The Padres are hopeful he’ll be ready to begin a rehabilitative assignment before the All-Star game.

“We need him to see some live pitching,� Riddoch said, “so we’ll probably send him down for at least a few games. It shouldn’t take that long.�

The Padres are ready to sign an agreement with city officials in Peoria, Ariz., to build a spring-training facility, which they will share with the Seattle Mariners. However the Padres are awaiting a financial commitment.

“It’s still wait and see,� said Dick Freeman, Padres president. “I’m hopeful things will start moving now that the Seattle ownership is finalized. It’s getting close, but even if you think you have a deal, it’s no deal until you see the paperwork and it’s finalized.�

Freeman said a letter of intent could be signed with Peoria by the end of July, but doubts a contractual agreement soon will be reached. Peoria officials still are awaiting approval of financial funding from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

“That’s where things get shaky,� Freeman said. “Phoenix is looking for money for the (Oakland) A’s. A couple of other teams are looking for money, too. I really have no indication of a timetable.

“We’re just waiting along with everyone else.�

Todd Helton, the Padres’ first pick in the June free agent draft, is seeking as a signing bonus of $500,000, sources said. That would help Helton turn down a football scholarship at Tennessee.

The Padres are unlikely to offer more than $250,000.

Padres trainer Bob Day and Dodgers trainer Bill Buhler have been chosen as trainers for the National League All-Star team.

Padres pitcher Joey Hamilton, their first-round pick in the 1991 draft, dazzled scouts this week by throwing 94-96 m.p.h., as measured by a radar gun. It was his first start since suffering a groin injury.

“He’s going to be one hell of a pitcher,� one scout said. “The Padres have got something in that kid. I know this, he throws harder than anyone they’ve got on their big-league roster.�