NATIONAL LEAGUE: AROUND THE HORN SAN DIEGO, GWYNN TO PART WAYS?

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

For nearly the last two decades Tony Gwynn was the San Diego Padres. But the possibility is real that today's game against the Dodgers will mark the end of Gwynn's affiliation with the team.

Gwynn, limited to 36 games and a .323 batting average this season because of injuries, has a $6 million club option for 2001, but the team has a $2 million buyout. The Padres are leaning toward buying Gwynn out, then re-signing him next season for a lower base salary with incentives.

Danger is inherent in such a scenario because Gwynn can sign with another team. And there is talk throughout the major leagues that Gwynn, injured much of the season and hampered by a bum knee, could make a move up the Golden State Freeway (5) to become Anaheim's designated hitter.

``The ball is in (the Padres') court,'' said John Boggs, Gwynn's agent. ``Obviously, the sooner the better. But they have to go through their preparations. They have to talk to their doctors. Talking to Tony, he feels fine. He feels great. I don't think there's any doubt, physically, he can come back.''

The Padres' financial approach also must be figured into the equation. President Larry Lucchino wants the payroll reduced by $10 million to $40 million, which could impact Gwynn's situation.

--No `K' king here: Florida Marlins center fielder Preston Wilson must now be considered a bona fide 30-30 threat annually: He's launched 31 homers and stolen 35 bases this year. But manager John Boles said he won't allow Wilson to become a 30-30-190 man.

Wilson entered Saturday with 186 strikeouts this season. As close as he is to breaking Bobby Bonds' 1970 record of 189 strikeouts, Boles said he simply won't let Wilson strike out four more times.

``As soon as he strikes out three times, his batting days are over,'' Boles said. ``He does not deserve this. He isn't going down in history for breaking the single-season strikeout record. He will not break that record because I make out the lineup.

``He has done everything he can do. He's played sick. He's played hurt. He's played tired. This guy has been a complete professional. So if there's any way on my watch that we can prevent him from tying the strikeout record, we're going to do it.''

--McKeon gone?: A bundle of managers are expected to lose their jobs after the season. Strangely, Cincinnati's Jack McKeon is part of that group.

After looking at the standings, Reds general manager Jim Bowden took notice that Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles and Arizona had records either the same or worse than Cincinnati's.

``That's who we're playing with, and they all have payrolls of $70 million to $90 million,'' Bowden said. Toronto, however, opened the year with a payroll of less than $50 million.

When Bowden, who doles out a payroll of $45 million for the Reds, was asked how things went this season, he replied, ``I think they all did a good job - Jack, the coaches and the players.''

--Philly malaise: When Philadelphia's teams are bad - football, basketball or hockey - at least fans continue to turn out to voice their displeasure. The Phillies' situation is worse than bad, it's as if the fans don't care. The average crowd at Veterans Stadium lately is less than 10,000.

But the fans' disgust for the team's struggles has landed squarely on manager Terry Francona. Popular thought is, if he's replaced by a former Phillies player, interest would spark up again.

Either way, things are rough on Francona. After last Sunday's home finale, which was Fan Appreciation Day, Francona found out the air was let out of one of his tires.