Dodgers Are Cool to Raines Despite His Interest

The Dodgers still maintain that they have little interest in signing free agent Tim Raines, the talented outfielder who last month rejected the Montreal Expos’ three-year, $4.5-million offer.

Raines, however, has made it clear in the last two weeks that he is very interested in playing for the Dodgers. And some Dodger players have told management that they think it would be a good idea to sign him.

The Dodgers acknowledge that Raines, who won the National League batting title last season with a .334 average, is a great talent, but they apparently aren’t willing to pay the price.

Owner Peter O’Malley said again Wednesday that the Dodgers’ chances of signing Raines are “very doubtful.” O’Malley reiterated that it has been Dodger policy not to sign expensive free agents and that if they were to make an exception in this case, it might adversely affect the club’s salary structure.

“Our position has not changed,” O’Malley said. “It is still very doubtful we will sign Tim Raines. We believe in finding, signing and developing our own players. That’s the best way in the long haul.”

He admitted that there are times that the Dodgers, “look at the short term and fill a void or a hole in our team,” but added that this is not one of those times.

“I think it’s in the best interest of the franchise in the long run to continue the position we have--that it’s very doubtful we’ll sign Tim Raines,” O’Malley said. “Sure, Timmy Raines will help this ball club win in 1987, no doubt about it. But in the long run, I think this club will be better without Timmy Raines.

“I’m not saying we won’t sign him. I’m just giving reasons why today, Feb. 4, it is very doubtful.”

Despite that, Tom Reich, Raines’ agent, sent O’Malley a letter last week, letting him know that Raines is interested in becoming a Dodger. According to Reich, the letter did not include specific salary proposals or negotiating demands.

Reich said that he also sent similar letters to other teams and that he is having discussions with two teams, believed to be San Diego and Atlanta.

“(The Dodgers) had previously expressed that they didn’t want to get into the free-agent market, but I sent a letter just to let them know that Tim is interested if their position has changed,” Reich said. “There have been no discussions whatsoever. No proposals from us. Nothing even resembling a proposal.

“Dodger management has been around for a long time and nobody’s going to influence what they do. I have made the introduction and I have no reason to be optimistic.”

O’Malley said Wednesday that he and Al Campanis, vice president of player personnel, received Reich’s letter late last week.

“Our response was that there hasn’t been any change,” O’Malley said.

Several Dodger players reportedly met with Fred Claire, the club’s executive vice president, last Friday and voiced support for signing the 27-year-old Raines.

Said Claire: “I don’t have any comment on that. Anytime a player or group of players might want to talk to me, that conversation remains between us.”

Since Raines rejected the deal with the Expos, for whom he played six seasons, it is doubtful the Dodgers would exceed that offer if they decide to pursue Raines.

The Dodgers had the sixth-highest payroll in baseball last season--$14,271,276--and apparently don’t want to add another millionaire to a group that already includes Fernando Valenzuela, Pedro Guerrero, Orel Hershiser and Jerry Reuss.

Because there has been little movement in the free-agent market thus far, there have been accusations of collusion among the owners. The Major League Players Assn. has filed a grievance against the owners, claiming that the apparent conspiracy violates terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

“This freezing out of free agents is patently unfair and unproper,” said Reich, who represents about 90 players, among then free-agent catcher Lance Parrish. “It is extremely blatant.”

Yet, Reich said he is confident that Raines will soon sign with some team.

“Two things won’t happen: Tim Raines won’t go back to Montreal and he won’t be in civilian clothes this year,” Reich said. “I will tell you that, sometime in the next 30 days, somebody is going to get Tim Raines.”

O’Malley, meanwhile, said that the Dodgers are happy with Ken Landreaux in center field, the spot most figure Raines would play if he became a Dodger. Landreaux hit .261 and had 29 runs batted in 103 games last season.

“(Landreaux) is our center fielder,” O’Malley said. “We don’t need two center fielders.”

The arbitration hearing for Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser will be held this morning in Los Angeles.

Hershiser, who was awarded a $1-million contract in arbitration last season, is asking for $1.1 million. The Dodgers are offering Hershiser, 14-14 with a 3.85 earned run average last season, the maximum 20% pay cut to $800,000.

Arbitrator Ray Goetz will hear the case, then decide either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.