Baker Apparently to Be Sent to A’s for Two in Minors

Former Dodger All-Star outfielder Dusty Baker apparently will be traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Oakland A’s for two minor league players.

Neither the A’s nor Giants would confirm the deal Saturday in Phoenix, where a report of the trade was released by the Associated Press. However, A’s Manager Jackie Moore and coach Clete Boyer met with Baker Saturday night at Baker’s condominium in nearby Scottsdale.

Baker also talked Saturday with A’s Vice President Sandy Alderson.

The trade apparently has been in the works for a few days, but an A’s official told Bay Area reporters that the deal is being held up by unspecified “complications.”

Giant General Manager Tom Haller refused to comment.

The hang-up could be the particulars of Baker’s $800,000 contract, of which at least $200,000 is believed to be paid by the Dodgers.

If all this sounds a bit familiar, it is. The Dodgers tried to trade Baker to Oakland for two minor leaguers in December, 1983, but Baker used the no-trade clause in his contract to veto the deal because he didn’t want to be a designated hitter.

The Dodgers wound up giving Baker his outright release after rumors of drug involvement--denied by both Baker and the Dodgers--and he signed with the Giants last year after missing all of spring training.

Beset by nagging injuries, Baker batted .292 for the Giants last season but hit only three home runs and drove in 32 runs in 243 times at-bat.

Baker, 35, who has a .280 career batting average, wasn’t going to break into the Giants’ outfield of Chili Davis, Jeff Leonard and Dan Gladden this season. Last week, he had talked about the possibility of a trade after playing little in exhibition games.

Reportedly, Baker is willing to accept the A’s role as designated hitter and part-time first baseman and outfielder.

“Steve Garvey sent me a first baseman’s glove this spring,” Baker said, “and, in fact, the Dodgers asked me to try first base in 1983. But that would have crushed my lockermate, Greg Brock.”

The two players Oakland is offering for Baker were not immediately known.