Dodgers Allay Some Fears by Signing Karros

The Dodgers tried to tell everyone that little would change once they put the franchise up for sale, and Wednesday, they did everything imaginable to prove their point.

They made first baseman Eric Karros their highest-paid player, signing him to a four-year, $20-million contract. They opened negotiations with all-star catcher Mike Piazza. They hired former Dodger all-stars Steve Garvey and Ron Cey to their community and marketing departments. They signed third baseman John Wehner to a one-year, $350,000 contract.

And, oh, yes, center fielder Brett Butler notified the team he will report to spring training and try to come back for one final season.

“Just like I said the other day,” Fred Claire, executive vice president, said with a smile, “business as usual.”

The Dodger organization, rocked by the news Monday that Peter O’Malley was selling the team, demonstrated that, if nothing else, they will not let a possible ownership change alter their destiny.

“It sends a message that maybe the team is up for sale,” Karros said, “but it’s not going to be a distraction. We’re going to be a competitive team, we’re going to try to win a World Series.”

Karros, considered the prototypal Dodger with his play, charisma and good looks, is the first Dodger player to be signed until 2000. He received a $2-million signing bonus that will be paid immediately, $4 million a year in 1997 and 1998, and $5 million a year in 1999 and 2000.

Karros, who was eligible for free agency at the season’s conclusion, was delighted by the expediency of his deal.

Late last week Claire telephoned Jeff Moorad, Karros’ attorney, and arranged for a Tuesday meeting. While Karros was discussing strategy Monday with Moorad at his Newport Beach office, they heard the stunning news that the club was for sale.

“We scratched our heads,” Moorad said, “and thought, ‘Well, we may not need this meeting after all.’ We anticipated filing an arbitration figure.

“But Fred then called an hour later and confirmed our meeting.”

Moorad met Tuesday with Claire and counsel Sam Fernandez. The Dodgers originally offered a three-year deal for about $13 million. Moorad and Karros insisted on at least a four-year contract. They agreed to meet again Wednesday, and while Karros was in the clubhouse preparing to participate in the Dodgers’ first workout at Dodger Stadium, he was summoned to Claire’s office and told a deal was complete.

“That’s pretty good job security,” Manager Bill Russell said. “Maybe he can be part-owner.”

So long to speculation that Piazza would be moved to first base and Karros will be traded. Piazza’s future in Los Angeles past 1998, however, remains uncertain.

“That’s something I never paid much attention to,” Karros said of Piazza’s rumored move to first. “People in the organization know what I’m capable of doing. I’m going to be playing first base and Mike will be catching. . . .

“Ideally, I’d like to play in the city of L.A. my entire career. I’m very ecstatic about being here.”

The Dodgers may also have sent a message to Piazza. They are willing to sign him to a long-term contract but don’t want to give him a contract that dwarfs Karros’. Piazza is seeking a five-year contract worth $50 million to $65 million. The Dodgers are expected to offer a four-year deal for about $30 million.

Piazza, eligible for free agency after the 1998 season, was a no-show at the voluntary workout. He was at Dodger Stadium during the day but only to film a commercial after the Dodger workout. Piazza, who earned $2.7 million last year and is eligible for arbitration the next two seasons until he is a free agent, is not expected to attend any workouts until he is signed.

“As long as he shows up in spring training on time,” Russell said, “that’s all I’m concerned about. If he chooses to come out here, fine.”

Attending the voluntary workout were about 30 major league and minor league players, including Butler, in town to complete movie and book deals about his life.

Butler decided on his plane trip to Los Angeles that he will make a comeback attempt in spring training. If he proves he is fully recovered from his cancer and can still be an everyday center fielder at 39, he will go ahead and open the regular season.

“This winter, I’ve been leaning toward retirement,” Butler said, “but I decided to go down to spring training and make a run at it. If I decide I can’t do it, I’ll walk away. Right now, I’ll give it a try.

“I’m not going to come back in a platoon role. I want to get myself prepared where I’m going to play every day.”

No matter what transpires this spring, the Dodgers insist they won’t permit the sale of the franchise to be a distraction.

“Look what they went through last year,” Russell said, remembering Butler’s cancer and Tom Lasorda’s heart attack. “If we can go through that without letting it become a distraction, this won’t top that. We just have to do the best we can.

“This is a unique situation, but there have been a lot of teams sold. At least they’re not moving the franchise. There’ll always be baseball in L.A.”

Then, again, no one could be affected by a possible sale of the franchise as much as Russell. His predecessors, Walter Alston and Lasorda, managed for 42 years. Yet, with a new ownership group, there may be no such security.

“Players move on, managers move on,” Russell said, “anything can happen. There’s bound to be some changes. What changes, who knows?

“There’s nothing certain in this game, but I have a two-year contract, and I’ll try to do the best I can. I never thought two years would turn to 20 years, anyway.”

* A NEW BIDDER

Laker owner Jerry Buss says he’d like to be part of a group that buys the Dodgers. A1

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Commanding Top Dollar

Highest-Paid Players in Baseball

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Player, Team Yrs. Avg. per year Albert Belle 1997-01 $11,000,000 Ken Griffey 1997-00 $8,500,000 Roger Clemens 1997-99 $8,250,000 John Smoltz 1997-00 $7,750,000 Barry Bonds 1993-98 $7,291,667

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Highest-Paid First Basemen

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Player, Team Yrs. Avg. per year Frank Thomas 1995-98 $7,250,000 Cecil Fielder 1993-97 $7,237,500 Joe Carter 1997 $6,500,000 Mo Vaughn 1996-98 $6,200,000 Rafael Palmeiro 1994-98 $6,070,000 Will Clark 1994-98 $6,000,000

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Highest-Paid Dodgers in 1997

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Player Salary Eric Karros $6,000,000* Ramon Martinez $4,800,000* Todd Worrell $3,750,000 Todd Zeile $3,100,000 Greg Gagne $3,000,000 Tom Candiotti $3,000,000

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Eric Karros Year by Year

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Year G AB R H 2B HR RBI Avg 1991 14 14 0 1 1 0 1 .071 1992 149 545 63 140 30 20 88 .249 1993 158 619 74 153 27 23 80 .247 1994 111 406 51 108 21 14 46 .266 1995 143 551 83 164 29 32 105 .298 1996 150 608 83 158 29 34 111 .260 Tot. 725 2743 354 724 137 123 431 .263

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*--Includes signing bonus