SAN DIEGO -- Padres general manager Kevin Towers has learned how the other half lives.

"It's incredible," he said Tuesday. "I've never had this many calls from agents. With us moving into the new ballpark, everybody thinks we can start spending all kinds of money. They're bombarding me."

The list of players that have declared free agency already includes such superstars as Gary Sheffield, Vladimir Guerrero and Miguel Tejada. Towers said he has spoken with representatives for some of the biggest names. He is prohibited from actual negotiations, however, until after the filing period closes.

Towers plans a patient approach with those he hopes to lure to San Diego, letting the market settle before making solid offers. His more immediate focus is on retaining potential free agent Trevor Hoffman, and he has had several conversations with Hoffman's representatives. The Padres hold a $10 million contract option for 2004, but they don't intend to pay that.

If the Padres don't work out a new deal by Nov. 8, they must pay a $2 million buyout and Hoffman would become a free agent. They then would have another month to sign him before the deadline to offer salary arbitration.

"We're going to work hard at it," Towers said. "He definitely has an interest in staying. If it gets to the point we have to buy him out and he becomes a free agent, that doesn't mean it's the end. It just means we don't have exclusivity to talk to him."

Right-hander Rod Beck, who went 20-for-20 in save opportunities while Hoffman recovered from two shoulder surgeries, has declared for free agency, as expected. Beck is pursuing opportunities to close elsewhere, but the Padres still hope to retain him as a setup reliever.

Balsley, Akerfelds sign

Pitching coach Darren Balsley and bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds have signed their new contracts. Each got a one-year deal. No coaches are signed beyond 2004, which also is the final guaranteed year of manager Bruce Bochy's contract. Bochy's pact includes a club option for 2005.

Short hops

RHP Tim Stauffer, the Padres' first-round draft choice this year, has made progress in his rehabilitation from elbow problems. He is working in the Arizona instructional league and is expected to throw off a mound in seven to 10 days. … Jeff Gardner, fired as manager of Single-A Lake Elsinore despite taking the team to the California League playoffs, will return to his former job as advance scout. Gardner held the job from 1995-2000. The Padres did not have an advance scout last year.