Jackson Disheartened by Negotiations : Baseball: Padres reject three of the center fielder’s contract proposals. Team’s offer does little to soothe him.

SAN DIEGO —  The Padres might be declaring their plans to retain center fielder Darrin Jackson, but their actions Wednesday left Jackson and his agent questioning their sincerity.

The Padres rejected three contract proposals by Jackson and his agent, Alan Meersand, which could terminate further negotiations.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Padres rejected a one-year contract for $2 million and also proposals for two years and three years.

The Padres countered with a one-year contract for $1.5 million, which was rejected by Jackson and Meersand.

“I don’t want to get into specifics,” Meersand said, “but that’s pretty accurate. They told me, ‘No, no, and no.’

“There’s nothing left to talk to them about anymore. That’s it. I’m not going to put up with any more of their crap.

“I’m also tired of him being the best bargain in baseball, and my job is to make sure he’s not the best bargain in 1993.

“Enough is enough already. What more do they want this guy to do?”

Jackson batted .249 last season with 17 homers and a career-high 70 RBIs. He has 38 homers and 119 RBIs the past two seasons. Jackson also is considered one of the finest defensive center fielders in the game, committing only two errors and leading the big leagues with 18 assists.

“I just want them to pay him,” Meersand said. “If they don’t pay him willingly, I’ll make them pay in arbitration.

“I’ll tell you one thing, Darrin Jackson will not play for one cent less than Greg Harris.”

The Padres signed pitcher Greg Harris last winter to a two-year contract for $1 million in 1992 and $2 million in 1993. Harris missed 16 starts with injuries, going 4-8 with a 4.12 ERA.

“I know the contract Greg Harris signed,” Jackson said, “and they say I’m not as valuable to the team as Greg Harris? Come on. I don’t know his career stats, but I know they’re not overpowering, and I know he’s not worth $500,000 more than me.

“I just don’t know how they can justify it. What more do I have to prove to them? It’s frustrating when you want something that is fair, to be paid somewhat close what you’re worth, and to find out they’re not in the same ballpark.

“I’m very discouraged right now.”

Said Padre President Dick Freeman, who is handling the Jackson negotiations for the club: “You have to remember, there was also different circumstances a year ago. We paid him based on three years’ performance, not just one year. No one could have envisioned what happened.”

The Padres, who lost $8 million last season, don’t plan to offer anyone, not even All-Star third baseman Gary Sheffield, a multi-year contract. They also say their offer to Jackson is reasonable since Bip Roberts made $1.5 million last season for the Cincinnati Reds.

“Hey, if you can’t afford to pay the players and keep a competitive club, you’re doing a disservice to the fans,” Meersand said. “I don’t doubt they lost money. I came to a game in late September and thought I was on the plains of Wyoming. There were about 14 people in the place.

“But the whole direction this club is taking is confusing to me. I’m perplexed at their attitude. They were so close, and now they’re giving players away.

“Do the Padres really think they’re serious in winning when they give away (Tony) Fernandez and (Craig) Lefferts, ignore free agents like (Randy) Myers and (Benito) Santiago, and turn their backs on Sheffield and Jackson?”

The Padres did little to dispel their cost-cutting image later in the day by signing journeyman catcher Bob Geren, 31, to a triple-A contract.

Geren, the Padres’ former No. 1 draft pick in 1979 out of Clairemont High School, was a backup at triple-A Pawtucket last season in the Boston Red Sox organization. He batted .207 with nine homers and 25 RBIs.

Geren, a defensive specialist, has played only 249 career games in the big leagues, all with the New York Yankees from 1988 to 1991.

“Nothing’s guaranteed,” Geren said, “but if I come to camp and throw the ball and catch well, they said there will be an opening. This was the best offer I had, and it’s a chance of a lifetime to play for my hometown.”

Geren, who was the 1979 San Diego High School Player of the Year, will compete for playing time with starter Dan Walters and backup Tom Lampkin. The Padres are expected to keep three catchers, although they probably will attempt to sign one or two more minor-league free agent catchers.