Dodgers Making a List of Replacement Players, Reluctant Strikers

The Dodgers, in an attempt to assemble a strike-replacement team, are asking agents to identify any of their players who might be willing to cross the picket line.

Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, and his staff have telephoned several player agents in the last few days to determine which players would report Feb. 16 to spring training and possibly open the season with the Dodgers.

“We simply want to find out the agents’ position,” Claire said, “and there may be agents who have interest. If they do, we’d like to identify those players.”

Claire declined to say whether any agent has been willing to share the names of players who might cross the picket line, but, if nothing else, he is spreading the word that the Dodgers are aggressively seeking replacement players.

“(Claire) wanted to know what’s our firm’s policy on strike-replacement players,” agent Jeff Moorad said. “I’m philosophically opposed, but an individual player will have to make his own decision.

“I’ll discourage them from playing in any form, but ultimately, it’s their decision.”

The Major League Players Assn. said that agents will not be allowed to represent replacement players without being penalized, or possibly decertified. This threat has forced some agents to tell their clients they no longer can represent them if they become strike-replacement players.

“I told my players that I can’t be the judge and the jury for them,” said agent Peter Grosz, who also was contacted by the Dodgers. “I’m not going to be party to it. I’m not going to live with the consequences; the players will.

“Teams can’t expect agents to be part of this. It’s like the opposite of what you believe in. I don’t see how you can be on one side, and then also help teams procure players.

“Really, this is a very delicate thing.”

Claire, in Chicago to help formulate replacement rules for major league baseball, said the Dodgers will attempt to acquire most of their replacement players from the 416 minor-league free agents.

“For the most part, the replacement players will be from the professional level,” Claire said. “If somebody is retired, it’s pretty tough for them to come back.”

The Dodgers have been the most aggressive team pursuing replacement players, agents said, although several said that a few other teams have directly contacted players.

The Dodgers also are planning for the day baseball resumes with major league players. They must decide by Sunday whether to make qualifying offers to free agents Brett Butler and Orel Hershiser.

The Dodgers are not expected to make a qualifying offer to Hershiser, but they still might have interest if he accepts a substantial pay cut. They have begun exploring options to replace Hershiser, expressing interest in free agent left-handed starter Trevor Wilson.

“Any left-handed starting pitcher that has produced the numbers he has,” Claire said, “you have to look at. We have definite interest, and we’ll have somebody there to watch him.”