What Now? : Down in the Mouth After Loss to Braves, Dodgers May Be in Store for Massive Face-Lift

Dodger second baseman Delino DeShields hugged his teammates, gave his home address to clubhouse attendants, and walked off into the night knowing he had played his final game for the Dodgers.

Third baseman Tim Wallach took off his dirt-smudged uniform, and although he didn’t announce his retirement, knew he had played his final major league game.

First baseman Eric Karros stood in front of his locker, looked around the clubhouse, wondering if he’ll be playing with a new infield next year.

Catcher Mike Piazza took a long shower, letting the hot water soothe his aching body, questioning whether the Dodgers realize that he needs a few more days off next year to prevent another final-week meltdown.

Shortstop Greg Gagne dressed quietly, contemplating whether he wants to come back to Los Angeles or play his final season in Boston.

The Dodgers won 90 games, enjoyed their highest attendance in five years, led the National League in pitching, had a reliever with a franchise-record 44 saves, had two players with more than 30 homers and 100 runs batted in, had a pitcher throw a no-hitter at Coors Field, and produced a leading candidate for their fifth consecutive rookie of the year, but finished in a state of uncertainty and disbelief.

The Dodgers, still having difficulty grasping the notion Sunday that they are home for the fall--swept in three games by the Atlanta Braves--realize there could be a massive face-lift in 1997.

“We got into the playoffs,” Piazza said, “so obviously we did something right. There’s no reason to be ashamed. But we have shortcomings that need to be corrected.”

Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, should take care of the first order of business today when he signs Manager Bill Russell to a one-year contract extension. The Dodgers were elated with Russell’s managerial skills while taking over for Tom Lasorda on June 25. He led them to a 49-37 record, and guaranteed his return in early September.

“He did a good job,” Claire said. “He was very steady. He put the team first, just like the way he played, and that’s the way he managed.

“I guess what’s strange, and may be the biggest statement of all, I didn’t see any change in him after we lost the last seven games than if we had won the last seven. He was very steady, didn’t get overly excited and never stepped away from responsibility.”

The Dodgers have no plans to announce any decisions until the players involved are informed, but sources say several decisions have been made:

--DeShields, who was benched the final two games of the playoffs, will be released.

--Wallach, who privately told the Dodgers he will retire, will be offered a job in the organization. He also has drawn interest to be a coach for the Tampa Bay expansion team.

--Closer Todd Worrell, who tied Jeff Brantley of Cincinnati with a league-leading 44 saves, will be told that his $3.75-million option will be picked up.

--Outfielders Chad Curtis and Dave Clark, picked up in late-season trades, will be told their services no longer are needed.

--Third baseman Mike Blowers, revered for his leadership and baseball savvy, will be told that the door is open for his return, but he will not be offered salary arbitration. Simply, it is difficult for the Dodgers to count on his return after reconstructive knee surgery.

--Left-handed relievers Mark Guthrie and Scott Radinsky, each of whom are free agents, will be told they are wanted back for next season.

--Gagne will be told that he is desperately needed and will be asked to inform the team of his plans as soon as possible.

--Karros and Piazza will be told that the Dodgers will be contacting their agents to begin negotiations on multiyear contracts.

It will be the beginning of a long winter for Claire, who is trying to become the architect of the team that can finally end the Braves’ dynasty.

“Those people have built it to a state of art,” Claire said, “but we’re not that far away. We’re close. We need to play at a different level. We touched on it, but we need to grow into it.

“I’m proud of this team and what they accomplished, but it’s not good enough. It’s not good enough for them, and it sure as heck isn’t good enough for me.”

The Dodgers realize they are on the brink of greatness primarily because of their pitching staff, but they have to dramatically improve their offense.

The Dodgers finished among the three worst teams in the league in 12 offensive categories, including the worst slugging percentage (.384) and on-base percentage (.316) in baseball.

You know you’ve got problems with Piazza’s .422 on-base percentage not only leads the team, but is more than 100 percentage points higher than the average of the entire team. Even Billy Ashley’s .331 on-base percentage is higher than the Dodger average.

So what do the Dodgers do?

Sign free-agent center fielder Brian McRae? Go after Bobby Bonilla? Trade for Barry Bonds? Deal for Reggie Sanders? Talk hitting coach Reggie Smith out of retirement?

“We know who the free agents are, and who’s available,” Claire said, “but a lot of that relates to the payroll. We do not want a payroll that averages $2.5 million a player. You can’t pay every player that. This isn’t rotisserie baseball.

“We have players that are deserving of raises, and in some cases, significant raises. “There’s a limit to it, and reality to it, and anyone who sits there and says it isn’t a factor is not sitting at my desk.”

The Dodgers are committed to giving right fielder Raul Mondesi a $1.75-million raise and Hideo Nomo a $300,000 raise. They are expected to provide nearly $500,000 raises to outfielder Todd Hollandsworth and starter Ismael Valdes in the first year of possible multiyear contracts. Starter Pedro Astacio’s salary could be bumped from $1.1 million to about $2.5 million in arbitration.

And then there’s the matter of Piazza and Karros, whose contracts have expired. Although neither is eligible for free agency, the Dodgers want to lock up each of them to multiyear contracts.

Karros, whom became the first Dodger first baseman to hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs in back-to-back seasons since Gil Hodges in 1953-54, wisely is expected to sit back and wait for Piazza’s negotiations to be concluded before he takes his turn.

And what will Piazza’s price tag be?

Would you believe a six-year, $65-million contract proposal?

The Dodgers have no intention of paying NBA wages, but there are those in baseball who believe Piazza deserves to become the highest-paid player, exceeding Ken Griffey Jr.’s average salary of $8.5 million a season. Besides, the Dodgers plan to keep Piazza behind the plate for at least two more years.

Little wonder then why the Dodgers will not be going after Bonds, have no interest in Bonilla, and will tell McRae they likely cannot meet his demands.

The Dodgers instead, Claire said, have decided that they want to fill the outfield vacancy with one of their own players. The Dodgers will give one last chance to Billy Ashley to become the every day left fielder, and move Hollandsworth to center. They also will give an opportunity to Roger Cedeno and rookie Karim Garcia, although scouts and coaches believe each is a year away.

Brett Butler, 39, could be the answer in center. He has yet to make a decision whether he wants to return, but is strongly leaning toward coming back for one final season. Yet, Butler will be 40 in June, and the Dodgers are reluctant to count on him. If he returns, the Dodgers may ask him to come to spring-training camp as a nonroster player

The huge question is the infield. The Dodgers spent $11.15 million on their infielders alone last year, and now the only player certain to return is Karros. DeShields and his $3-million salary will be gone. Gagne ($2.6 million) doesn’t know if he wants to come back. Blowers ($2.3 million) wants to return, but the Dodgers are unsure whether he’s capable.

The key to the whole scenario may be Gagne. If he returns, the Dodgers will try to fill second base with Juan Castro or Chad Fonville, and perhaps trade for a third baseman. If Gagne does not come back, they likely will have to pursue at least two infielders.

The Dodgers have publicly talked about the possibility of Wilton Guerrero taking over at second, but believe he may be a young Jose Offerman. He is at least a year away.

There are several high-profile infielders on the free-agent market such as Todd Zeile and Charlie Hayes, but the man the Dodgers covet more than anyone is Jeff King of the Pittsburgh Pirates. King, who’ll earn $2.5 million in 1997, can play third base, second base and first base. The Dodgers also might take a run at Pirate second baseman Carlos Garcia. The Colorado Rockies also are making All-Star second baseman Eric Young available in trade talks.

The Dodgers’ hopes of acquiring a high-profile infielder, preferably a run-producer, will be greatly enhanced if they can unload Tom Candiotti and his $3-million contract. The Dodgers have paid him $19 million the last five years for only 42 victories.

The Dodgers have told all teams that Candiotti is available, and sources say they are even willing to eat part of the contract. Besides, they want to make room in the rotation for Chan Ho Park. Park is expected to pitch at least a month in the Dominican Republic this winter, and Darren Dreifort will remain in the bullpen.

“We’ve taken tremendous strides this year,” Claire said, “but there’s work to be done. . . . We’ll get there. I really believe that.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Dodger Dollar Days

SIGNED F0R 1997

*--*

Pos Player 1996 Salary P Ramon Martinez $4.3 million ($4.3 million in 1997) P Tom Candiotti $3 million ($3 million in 1997) P Hideo Nomo $600,000 ($900,000 in 1997) P Todd Worrell $4 million ($3.75 million in 1997) RF Raul Mondesi $950,000 ($2.7 million in 1997)

*--*

WHO’S ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY

*--*

Pos Player 1996 Salary SS Greg Gagne $2.6 million CF Brett Butler $2 million P Mark Guthrie $870,000 OF Dave Clark $725,000 P Scott Radinsky $600,000 3B Tim Wallach $500,000

*--*

WHO’S ELIGIBLE FOR ARBITRATION AND WILL GET HUGE RAISES

*--*

Pos Player 1996 Salary 1B Eric Karros $3.3 million C Mike Piazza $2.7 million P Pedro Astacio $1.1 million

*--*

WHO’S ELIGIBLE FOR ARBITRATION AND WILL BE GONE

*--*

Pos Player 1996 Salary 2B Delino DeShields $3 million CF Chad Curtis $2 million

*--*

WHO’S ELIGIBLE FOR ARBITRATION, WON’T BE OFFERED ARBITRATION, BUT COULD STAY

*--*

Pos Player 1996 Salary 3B Mike Blowers $2.3 million CF Wayne Kirby $437,500 3B Dave Hansen $400,000 C Tom Prince $325,000

*--*

WHO’S STAYING PUT WITH NO RIGHTS

*--*

Pos Player 1996 Salary P Ismael Valdes $425,000 OF Billy Ashley $195,000 INF Chad Fonville $1750,000 P Darren Hall $175,000 OF Todd Hollandsworth $136,000 P Darren Dreifort $134,000 P Antonio Osuna $124,000 OF Roger Cedeno $124,000 P Chan Ho Park $124,000 INF Juan Castro $109,000

*--*

Charting the Collapse

From Aug. 10 to Sept. 17, the Dodgers had:

* 27-9 record

* .265 team batting average

* 5.28 runs per game

* 3.58 ERA

From Sept. 18, the day after Hideo Nomo’s no-hitter, to Oct. 5, the Dodgers had:

* 4-10 record

* .205 team batting average

* 3.36 runs per game

* 3.34 ERA