Yanks, Mets
both trying to deal
for Irabu

Padres owner Larry Lucchino
appears ready to either trade him
or walk away completely

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- While his team flew across the continent and halfway across the Pacific, San Diego Padres president Larry Lucchino was trying to move Hideki Irabu the other way.

Lucchino was in New York the last few days, where he met with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon about the star Japanese pitcher.

The Yankees and Mets are among four teams that have made strong offers for Irabu, whose fastball has been clocked at 100 mph. His major league rights belong to San Diego, but he has refused to negotiate with the Padres, saying he has always wanted to play for the Yankees.

Whether he would play for the Mets remains to be seen.

The Mets reportedly have made a two-tiered offer. They would send the Padres a minor league player for Irabu's rights, and if the pitcher signed, New York would send $1 million and another player to San Diego.

Mets manager Bobby Valentine was Irabu's manager two years ago with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.

The Japanese commissioner's office ruled last week that the Padres have Irabu's rights for two seasons.

"I'd hate to speculate that anything's imminent because, hell, we've been close other times before and nothing's happened," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

"I would doubt anything's imminent tomorrow, but I know (Lucchino) spoke with the Yankees and the Mets," Towers said. "I plan on talking to him tomorrow afternoon. I know he plans on sticking around one more day to try to get something done. If not, from talking to him tonight, I think he is willing to walk away and say it's all over with."

Lucchino was supposed to have joined the Padres on their flight Wednesday night from Pittsburgh to Honolulu, where they'll play the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game series this weekend at Aloha Stadium.

The Hawaii series is part of the Padres' expanding interest in the Pacific Rim, which includes the deal with Chiba Lotte that gave San Diego Irabu's rights.

Two Days To Go!

The San Diego Padres play the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday and Sunday at Aloha Stadium. Tickets are available at Aloha Stadium, at all MWR box offices on Hawaii military bases and through the stadium charge line at 484-1122 or 800-291-3999.