San Diego State baseball coach Tony Gwynn was in his office yesterday doing paperwork.
Gwynn expects to be doing the same thing today. The difference is that today Gwynn will be doing it without a contract, yesterday being the last day of his three-year deal.
“I don't want to make a big deal out of it,” said Gwynn, who went six weeks without a contract when his original three-year deal expired in 2005.
Gwynn is confident a new contract is forthcoming.
“Very,” said Gwynn, adding, “I'm not taking it for granted. We'll just wait and see.”
Jeff Schemmel, SDSU director of athletics, is on vacation this week and could not be reached for comment.
Gwynn met with Schemmel last week for his annual evaluation and expects to hear from the AD soon to resolve his contract situation.
“They know I want to coach and I think they want me here,” Gwynn said. “I think they think I've done a good job, but could definitely get better.”
The Aztecs finished 31-28 overall this season, including 16-8 (tied for second place) in the Mountain West Conference. SDSU, which has not reached the NCAA tournament since 1991, missed out on a postseason berth for the sixth straight season under Gwynn.
“I think I've gotten better, but it still hasn't translated into W's,” Gwynn said. “You thought you'd make a regional or two by now, make some progress.
“You can still recruit, schedule and fund-raise, but they have to be tied to winning, and we haven't done enough of it.
“Winning solves it all. Once people start talking about it, that's what you get judged on.”
Heading to pros
The Aztecs will be looking to replace most of their starting infield next season.
Third baseman Nick Romero (Twins, fifth round) received a $179,000 signing bonus, according to Baseball America. Shortstop Troy Hanzawa (Phillies, 16th) and second baseman Garett Green (Dodgers, 30th) also have signed. Among the pitchers, right-hander Shane Kaufman (Giants, 28th), left-hander Brandon Pullen (Mariners, 37th) and right-hander J.R. Murphy (Rockies, free agent) have signed.
Romero's first professional homer came in his first game for the Elizabethton Twins in a contest against Pularski. And how about this? He hit it off Pullen.
Three of USD's four drafted players have signed.
Left-hander Josh Romanski (Brewers, fourth) received a reported $247,000 signing bonus and left-hander Ricardo Pecina (Nationals, eighth) received $100,000. Catcher Logan Gelbrich (Padres, 35th) also signed. The Padres also signed second baseman Kevin Hansen as a free agent.
Left-hander Brian Matusz, the fourth overall pick by the Orioles, has not yet signed.
Freshmen All-Americans
USD right-hander
Kyle Blair and third baseman
Victor Sanchez were second-team selections yesterday on
Baseball America's 2008 Freshman All-American teams.
Blair was 8-4 with a 3.86 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 75 innings. Sanchez hit .268 with 12 home runs and 47 RBI.
USD commitment
Santana right-hander
James Needy has made an oral commitment to USD, the first player to do so from the class of 2009.
“This was the best fit for me,” said Needy, adding, “The pitching (staff) here is what really intrigued me.”
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Needy was 6-4 for the Sultans last season with a 1.65 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 55 innings.
Kirk Kenney: (619) 293-1825; kirk.kenney@uniontrib.com
