Valenzuela Gets $100,000 Raise in Compromise

The Dodgers, avoiding the acrimony that frequently accompanies salary arbitration cases, came to terms Tuesday with Fernando Valenzuela, granting the left-handed pitcher a modest raise that brought his salary to an estimated $1.2 million.

Valenzuela, who was 12-17 last season but ranked second among league leaders in strikeouts, innings pitched and complete games and ranked 10th in earned-run average, had filed for arbitration last Friday after the Dodgers offered him the same salary that he was paid in 1984--$1.1 million.

But the two sides were only $200,000 apart, and after Valenzuela’s agent, Tony DeMarco, called Dodger Vice President Al Campanis Tuesday morning, they split the difference.

They might have done so sooner, DeMarco said, but the recent drug-testing controversy interfered with negotiations.

“We’re happy about it and we want them (the Dodgers) to be happy about it,” DeMarco said. Valenzuela is scheduled to sign the contract at Dodger Stadium this morning.

Campanis also said that he and DeMarco raised “a blush and a hint” about future talks regarding a multiyear contract for Valenzuela, who is eligible to become a free agent after the 1986 season. “Sometime down the road we’ll talk about it,” Campanis said.

Three other Dodgers have filed for arbitration: catcher Mike Scioscia, first baseman Greg Brock, and pitcher Carlos Diaz. Scioscia, who made $175,000 last season, is asking for $435,000; the Dodgers’ offer is $350,000. Brock, paid $95,000 last season, is seeking $175,000; the Dodgers’ offer is $125,000. Diaz, who made $93,500, is seeking a raise to $170,000; the Dodgers’ offer is $120,000.