Latest Multiyear Offer to Piazza Is Turned Down

The Dodgers Monday presented their second multiyear contract-extension offer to all-star catcher Mike Piazza’s agent, only to have it rejected, team sources said.

The latest package is believed to be worth slightly more than the previous offer, which was similar to the six-year, $75-million deal that made Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez the game’s highest-paid player. Piazza is seeking a seven-year extension worth at least $100 million.

His agent, Dan Lozano, did not return phone calls Monday night. Team counsel Sam Fernandez, the Dodgers’ lead negotiator, also could not be reached for comment.

Lozano and Fernandez are expected to speak today after the Dodgers’ play the Arizona Diamondbacks, a source said. News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch, whose Fox Group recently completed its purchase of the franchise, is expected to attend the game with several of his top executives.

Fox Group officials hoped to have a deal completed with Piazza prior to today. But he has been critical of the team’s negotiating tactics, and Fernandez’s handling of the situation in particular.

At this point, the Dodgers are unwilling to make the five-time all-star the game’s first $100-million player. Piazza is making $8 million this season in the final year of a two-year, $15-million contract.

And team officials are also reluctant to give Piazza, runner-up in voting for the most-valuable-player award the past two seasons, an extension for more than six years. Piazza, who began the season with a .334 career average, is batting .190 (four for 21) without a home run or run batted in.

Bob Graziano, team president and chief executive, said the parties must reach a resolution soon. If an agreement isn’t reached this week, it is likely that talks will end until after the season.

*

What is the significance of being 1-4 instead of 0-5?

“Smiles, and a whole lot of them,” second baseman Eric Young said. “We know our record isn’t great right now, but getting that first victory means so much for what we’re trying to do.”

The Dodgers ended their season-opening, four-game losing streak with a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Right-hander Ramon Martinez led the way with a dominating performance, giving up one hit in eight innings, striking out seven and walking one.

They hope to build on that during a seven-day, seven-game homestand starting against the Diamondbacks today at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s always good to get back home,” Manager Bill Russell said. “And now we have that first win under our belts. This makes everything better going into opening day.”

The mood in the clubhouse hadn’t been cheery but things have quickly turned--at least for the time being.

“It was good for us psychologically, because no matter what guys say, everyone gets a little down mentally,” Young said. “But this doesn’t mean we’ve fixed all of our problems.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Arizona Diamondbacks, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Today--1 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2 today, Channel 5 on Thursday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 1-4, Diamondbacks 1-5.

* 1997 record vs. Diamondbacks--This is Arizona’s first season.

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’ WILLIE BLAIR (0-1, 6.43 ERA)

Update--Park pitched only 4 2/3 innings in an 8-5, 12-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals last Thursday. The right-hander said he is well rested and eager to make his first opening-day start at Dodger Stadium, which the team said is a sellout. “This is what I have worked hard for,” he said. “The fans, the first game, this is exciting for me.” Diamondback owner Jerry Colangelo spent freely to acquire big-name talent, but Arizona is off to a slow start. After opening with five consecutive defeats, they beat the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, 3-2.

* Wednesday, 7:35 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (0-0, 4.50) vs. Brian Anderson (0-1, 7.50).

* Thursday, 7:05 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (0-1, 4.76) vs. Jeff Suppan (0-1, 8.44).