Dodger Transition to Start This Week

The transition of Dodger ownership from News Corp. to Boston real estate magnate Frank McCourt will begin this week in meetings at Dodger Stadium, baseball executives said Monday.

Representatives of McCourt, who has an agreement in principle to purchase the Dodgers from the media giant for $430 million, will plan the transition process with team officials and further review the current operation.

Although McCourt cannot take control until the proposed sale is approved in a vote of major league owners, expected to occur in mid-November, the commissioner’s office has permitted the Dodgers’ prospective buyer to move forward at Chavez Ravine.

Corey Busch, a Major League Baseball official, will oversee the transition for McCourt, whom he has advised throughout the real estate developer’s pursuit of the franchise. Busch, who formerly worked for the San Francisco Giants, will have a high-ranking position with the Dodgers.

McCourt had access to the Dodgers’ budgets and operating plan for next season while in negotiations with News Corp., executives said, but he has no influence in day-to-day operations at this point. Team President Bob Graziano will be the Dodgers’ point man in transition discussions.

Graziano and Chairman Bob Daly, who plans to depart once the sale is approved, addressed employees Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

Graziano, according to officials who attended the 30-minute meeting, highlighted the organization’s accomplishments in six seasons under News Corp., focusing on strides in attendance, marketing, revenue production and community involvement while trying to allay concerns about job security amid the second ownership change in six years.

The Dodgers have drawn at least 3 million fans for a record eight consecutive seasons despite not qualifying for the playoffs since 1996 and not winning a playoff game since 1988.

The club’s gross and net revenues increased 57% and 51%, respectively, over the last five seasons, according to team sources, as suites and dugout seats added $15 million in revenue. The Dodgers have maintained comparatively low ticket prices -- including 10,000 seats at $6.

“There has been a great deal of speculation in regards to change, and that is normal under these conditions,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president. “However, if there are some changes that take place, those affected employees should not be ashamed and should actually feel proud of their accomplishments. Adjustments will not reflect a lack of performance.”

In addition to his scheduled sessions with Graziano, Busch also is expected to meet with General Manager Dan Evans and Manager Jim Tracy, who enter the final guaranteed seasons of their multiyear contracts. Officials familiar with McCourt’s plans said he has not made decisions regarding the baseball-operations staff or player-personnel moves.

Evans is under pressure to improve an offense that scored fewer runs than the lowly Detroit Tigers, assuring the Dodgers of their seventh consecutive season without a playoff appearance.

The Dodgers scored two runs or fewer 61 times. They scored one run or were shut out in 40 games, 38 of them losses.

The Dodgers finished 15 1/2 games behind San Francisco in the National League West and six games behind Florida in the NL wild-card race.

The team is not expected to re-sign outfielder Brian Jordan (whose 2004 contract option can be bought out for $2.5 million), pitcher Andy Ashby, first baseman Fred McGriff and infielder-outfielder Daryle Ward. Those players made about $19 million combined this season.

Based on the luxury-tax formula, the club has almost $68 million committed in guaranteed contracts to only nine players. In real dollars, the figure is more than $78 million.

All-Star closer Eric Gagne -- expected to receive a huge raise after a 55-save season -- is among seven key players eligible for arbitration, and the team has glaring holes in left field and at first base. The bench also must be upgraded.

Evans last week said he would move forward with his off-season plans. Even if the sale isn’t completed before the general managers’ meetings Nov. 10-14, Evans said he will operate as if it’s “business as usual.”

Clubs maintain exclusive negotiating rights with their free agents for 15 days after the World Series, and most trades and signings occur later in the winter. The sale should be completed, executives said, before the winter meetings (Dec. 12-16), leaving Evans, or his successor, plenty of time to maneuver.

“We don’t need to have everything decided by Oct. 10,” Evans said recently. “We just need to flush out some options and have an internal game plan by the end of the month. We’re doing things we normally do.”