Contract Language Called an Obstacle in Gibson Talks

Doug Baldwin, who represents Detroit Tiger free agent Kirk Gibson, said Thursday that his negotiations with the Dodgers have bogged down on issues other than money or length of contract.

“We’ve been talking about this particular for two days, and I expect to have a decision from the Dodgers tomorrow,” Baldwin said. “My understanding is that (club owner) Peter O’Malley is sleeping on it.”

Baldwin said that the Dodgers are willing to give Gibson the two-year extension he seeks but that contract language has become a major stumbling block.

“That’s not to say we have an agreement on money because we don’t yet,” Baldwin said from Seattle. “We’ve only kicked around some figures. But until the language is resolved, there’s no sense resolving anything else. We can’t go forward until we know how to handle this.”

The problem stems from an attempt by the owners’ Player Relations Committee to have all clubs include two new provisions in contracts being signed this winter, particularly those covering 1990, the year after the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

One provision is known as a lockout clause and would free an owner from having to pay a player in the event that the clubs stage a lockout in response to prolonged negotiations over a new bargaining agreement.

The other provision is known as a conversion clause and would enable a club to void the guaranteed aspects of a contract if the club arbitrarily decided that the player wasn’t in first-class condition because of the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or prescription medicine.

“It’s my understanding through conversations with the players’ association, that four players have signed contracts covering 1990--Don Mattingly, Dave Righetti, Gary Gaetti and Dale Murphy,” Baldwin said. “It’s my understanding that none of those contracts include a lockout clause.

“Some clubs have made it a deal buster and others haven’t, but I think they’re all under enormous pressure from the PRC now to include both clauses.

“We’ve indicated to the Dodgers that there are ways to structure the language that would be acceptable to us, but whether it would be acceptable to them, I don’t know.

“They’ve said they would be willing to extend the contract through 1990, but only if we would be willing to include their language. It’s a big problem at this point.”

Gibson is guaranteed $1.3 million this year, the final year of a three year contract with the the Tigers. He is believed to be seeking a two-year extension for $3.5 million.

The Dodgers, according to sources, have offered Gibson $4.5 million for three years, starting this year. The offer includes a $1 million in 1989, which Gibson could lose by agreeing to either the conversion or lock-out clauses.

Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, refused to comment Thursday. However, it is known that he continued to talk with Baldwin, O’Malley and club lawyer Sam Fernandez in an attempt to resolve the problem.

Baldwin, meanwhile, said other clubs are interested in Gibson, but refused to identify them or to confirm that the Dodgers are his No. 1 priority. “I’m not saying they aren’t, but I won’t say they are,” he said.

The Detroit News reported Thursday that a one-year extension offered Gibson by the Tigers Wednesday was for $1.5 million and included bonus provisions that could lift his $1.3-million salary of this year to $1.5.

American League sources said, however, that the 1989 offer was for the same $1.3 million Gibson is guaranteed this year and that the Detroit offer was simply a public relations gesture. Baldwin wouldn’t discuss the figures but said he did talk to the Tigers again Thursday, clarifying a couple of items.

Claire, meanwhile, was busy on another front as well.

He eliminated two potential arbitration cases by signing Mike Marshall and Ken Howell to one-year contracts.

Marshall, who made $670,000 last year, filed for arbitration at $795,000. The Dodgers countered at $725,000. They compromised at $760,000. Marshall is eligible for free agency after the 1988 season and there is speculation that the Dodgers will renew efforts to sign him to a multiyear contract.

Howell will get $215,000. He made $170,000 last year and filed for arbitration at $245,000. The Dodgers filed at $185,000.

Claire is now left with only two potential arbitration cases and is expected to meet today with attorney Robert Fraley, who represents both of the involved players, Orel Hershiser and Dave Anderson.