Does It Pay? : Average Dodger Salary This Season Will Be Among Highest Ever in Majors

Devoid of farm aid and having paid top dollar to re-stock the roster, the Dodgers will begin the 1988 season with an average player salary of about $670,000, an increase of more than $260,000 over last year and one of the highest ever in the major leagues.

Will they emerge from the season with 1989 commitments that will send that average even higher?

Executive Vice President Fred Claire said no, he will not negotiate or extend contracts during the season and he does not believe that a winning continuity comes from having the highest payroll.

This is one more issue in what looms as a complex and controversial season for the Dodgers.

Eight veterans--the core of the team--will be eligible for free agency when the season ends, and there could be several others who qualify.

It is believed that the owners’ Player Relations Committee has advised all clubs against negotiating during the season, but Claire put it in terms of Dodger policy and said he doesn’t intend to change that policy.

He said that inquiring agents are being told to wait until the right time--after the season.

“We don’t want any distractions,” he said, meaning that he doesn’t want any contractual disputes on top of other problems he is almost certain to have, if the spring is a barometer.

The following Dodgers, whose contracts expire when the season ends, will have qualified for free agency by spending six or more years in the majors:

Fernando Valenzuela, whose 1988 salary is $2.05 million; Pedro Guerrero, $1.7 million; Jesse Orosco, $1 million; Steve Sax, $800,000; Mike Marshall, $760,000; Alfredo Griffin, $750,000; Jay Howell, $595,000; and Alejandro Pena, $400,000.

Mike Scioscia could also become a free agent if the Dodgers do not pick up his 1989 option at $1.1 million, and John Shelby could join him if the Dodgers choose to pay a $75,000 buyout fee rather than his 1989 salary of $550,000.

Then there is a fringe group--Alex Trevino, Mickey Hatcher, Danny Heep and Tito Landrum, for instance.

Each is in something of an uncertain status with the Dodgers even now and could become a free agent before opening day of this year or next.

Does the situation represent a powder keg?

Is there concern that the involved players may begin to fuss and grumble?

“I think our antenna has to be up in terms of what we hear and see,” Claire said. “But I’m confident that they will continue to channel their energy toward a successful season.

“That’s the one dominant thought right now.”

Right now, amid the promise of spring, as bizarre as that spring has been, the Dodgers seem to believe that free agency will be a motivating carrot.

“I’d like to have all of ‘em playing out their option and see what happens,” Manager Tom Lasorda said. “I hope they all realize this is the last year of their contract and the time to put up some big numbers. I think it will work to our advantage.”

Said Sax: “I know it may be an issue for some, but I’m going to give the same effort whether I’m in the first year of a 5-year contract or the last month of a 1-year contract.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to (a contract extension), but I’m satisfied waiting until the season is over. I’m confident and comfortable with my situation. I believe in myself. If I stay in shape, I can play another 10 years, so why worry about it?”

This is no time for hard rhetoric, of course. Sax and the band are playing in a low key.

Then, too, there’s the hard reality that free agency isn’t what it used to be. No longer does it seem a threat to the conspiring owners or a lucrative wedge for the players. The picture has changed since Sax, Guerrero and Griffin signed their 5-year contracts. Even since Valenzuela and Orosco signed for 3 years. Now, 2 years is long term.

“Our timing was very fortunate,” Valenzuela’s agent, Tony DeMarco, said. “The problems that have developed (with the owners) came in the middle of Fernando’s contract. We didn’t suffer.”

Valenzuela’s contract will have paid him $5,455,000. He will be baseball’s highest-salaried pitcher in 1988. He is willing to wait until the season is over to talk about 1989 and beyond because his sense of responsibility has never changed and because he doesn’t care to mix business and baseball, DeMarco said.

It is unlikely, of course, that Valenzuela ever will be made to suffer by the Dodgers. He is admired by the Anglo community and a hero in the Hispanic.

And if he pursues a $2.5- to $3-million annual salary in his next contract, DeMarco senses now that the Dodgers are willing to paying for a quality product.

“Everything they’ve done lately makes us feel good,” he said. “They are dealing for free agents and opening their wallet to attract good players. Money makes money.”

Alan Meersand, who represents Orosco, concurred. He said that under Al Campanis “it always seemed to be his way or the highway” and that the new regime has brought a more positive and communicative approach.

But will it get Orosco a new contract before winter?

“Jesse is realistic,” Meersand said. “He is hopeful it can be done before the season ends, but realizes it probably won’t be and that it depends on his performance. At this point, he has no interest in becoming a free agent if he has a successful season.”

New attitudes and new regimes are one thing, but Tony Attanasio, who represents Guerrero, said: “If Pete has another good season, he’ll be worth close to $2 million, if not over. He’ll clearly be worth what George Bell is making, but those kind of numbers have always had a negative effect on the Dodgers. I just don’t think they’ll pay Pete.”

Guerrero may not be alone, Claire hinted.

He said that the signing of free agents Kirk Gibson and Mike Davis and the trade for Griffin, Orosco and Howell brought “premium players with premium salaries” but should not be interpreted to mean that the Dodgers will follow a radical course, “regardless of cost.”

He said cost will always be a factor and that the Dodgers will maintain the procedures that have contributed to their continuity and success. The recent steps, he said, were in response to the needs of the club and the need to give the farm system time to stabilize, time to avoid the force-feeding of the last two years.

“We won’t need to do some of the things we’ve done (over the winter) once we get that under control,” Claire said, implying that he expects the farm system to be productive again--and soon.

The implication seems to be that the Dodgers hope to replace some of their potential free agents from within, rolling back what Claire calls the “payroll wheel.”

“I think you can maintain a winning continuity without having the highest payroll in baseball,” he said. “We need to reach a balance point, and I think we can do that quickly if we achieve what we want to achieve in terms of developing our own players.”

The signing of Gibson and Davis, the trade for Griffin, Orosco and Howell, the signing of six players who had filed for arbitration and the built-in salary escalation of players on multiyear contracts has sent the payroll soaring.

The probable 24-player roster totals $16,143,000, excluding Gibson’s $1-million signing bonus, a $400,000 buyout on the last year of Jerry Reuss’ contract, a $215,000 salary for Ken Howell, who is expected to open the season with the triple-A Albuquerque N.M., club or on the disabled list, and a $200,000 salary for Mariano Duncan, who was optioned to Albuquerque on Sunday.

The pro-rating of signing bonuses and deferred agreements puts the total well over $17 million, but even the $16.1 million, divided by 24, produces an average salary of $672,625 contrasted with a 1987 average of $404,745, which put the Dodgers 15th among the 26 major league teams.

The $672,625 exceeds what the Major League Players Assn. believes to be the record of $657,000 paid by the 1986 Atlanta Braves, though the 1988 New York Yankees, after the signing of Jack Clark, Dave Righetti and Don Mattingly, could top both the Dodgers and Braves.

For the Dodgers, the wheel is destined to turn back, leaving those potential free agents in limbo. As Attanasio said, alluding to Dodger and PRC policy:

“In a utopian atmosphere, in even the type atmosphere that existed when most of these players signed their current contracts, the club would take a look at Pete Guerrero, recognize what he’s done for it in the past, recognize what he’s demonstrating now in the way of team attitude (by moving to third base) and say, ‘Pete, we don’t want you to be a free agent, here’s a 2- or 3-year contract.’

“But the Dodgers say they won’t negotiate during the season, and that’s what we’re hearing from all the clubs.”

Utopia? It’s now called collusion.

DODGER SALARY CHART

PLAYER: Dave Anderson

1988: $262,500

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Tim Belcher

1988: $78,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Tim Crews

1988: $78,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Mike Davis

1988: $987,500

1989: $987,500

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Rick Dempsey

1988: unavailable

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Mariano Duncan

1988: $200,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Kirk Gibson

1988: $1.5 million

1989: $1 million

1990: $1 million

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Alfredo Griffin

1988: $750,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: $50,000 if AP, UPI or Sporting News All-Star

PLAYER: Pedro Guerrero

1988: $1.7 million

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Jeff Hamilton

1988: $82,500

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Mickey Hatcher

1988: $300,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Brad Havens

1988: $185,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Danny Heep

1988: $300,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Orel Hershiser

1988: $1.1 million

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Shawn Hillegas

1988: $78,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Brian Holton

1988: $90,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Jay Howell

1988: $595,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Ken Howell

1988: $215,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Tito Landrum

1988: $300,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Tim Leary

1988: $190,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Mike Marshall

1988: $760,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Jesse Orosco

1988: $1 million

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: $100,000 if he wins Rolaids Fireman of the Year Award; $75,000 if second; $50,000 if third.

PLAYER: Alejandro Pena

1988: $400,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Steve Sax

1988: $800,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Mike Scioscia

1988: $1 million

1989: club option at $1.1 million

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: John Shelby

1988: $465,000

1989: $550,000

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Franklin Stubbs

1988: $235,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: Don Sutton

1988: $350,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: $25,000 if he is on the roster May 1; $25,000 if he is on the roster June 1; $50,000 if he is on the roster July 1; $75,000 if he is on the roster Aug. 1; $75,000 if he is on the roster Aug. 31; $5,000 after he makes 5 starts; $10,000 after 11 starts; $15,000 after 16; $20,000; after 21; $25,000 after 26; $25,000 after 30; $25,000 if he pitches 180 innings; $25,000 if he appears in 15 games; $25,000 if he appears in 20.

PLAYER: Alex Trevino

1988: $300,000

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

PLAYER: F. Valenzuela

1988: $2.05 mil.

1989: --

1990: --

Incentives: --

NOTES --Kirk Gibson is in the first year of a three-year contract. He received a signing bonus of $1 million from the Dodgers.

--Alfredo Griffin is in the fifth year of a five-year contract he initially signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. He received a $50,000 signing bonus, a $25,000 interest-free loan in 1984 and 1985, and salaries of $500,000, $600,000, $700,000 and $750,000 in the first four years, with the following to be deferred from salary: $200,000 in 1984, $300,000 in 1985 and 1986, $350,000 in 1987 and 1988.

--Pedro Guerrero is in the fifth year of a five-year contract. He received a signing bonus of $100,000 from the Dodgers, and salaries of $1.1 million, $1.25 million, $1.35 million and $1.5 million in the first four years.

--Jesse Orosco is in the third year of a three-year contract he initially signed with the New York Mets. He received a signing bonus of $150,000, and salaries of $750,000 and $850,000 in the first two years.

--Steve Sax is in the fifth year of a five-year contract. He received a signing bonus of $100,000 from the Dodgers, another $100,000 deferred, and salaries of $325,000, $425,000, $550,000 and $700,000 in the first four years.

--Mike Scioscia is in the third year of a four-year contract. He received salaries of $800,000 and $875,000 in the first two years.

--John Shelby can be bought out of his 1989 terms for $75,000.

--Alex Trevino is in the fourth year of a four-year contract. He initially signed with the Atlanta Braves, who are responsible for a $1.05-million signing bonus, of which $1 million was deferred. He received salaries of $250,000, $300,000 and $250,000 in the first three years.

--Fernando Valenzuela is in the third year of a three-year contract. He received salaries of $1.6 million and $1.85 million in the first two years.

--Jerry Reuss is receiving $400,000 from the Dodgers as a buyout of the final year of his contract.

--Tim Crews and Shawn Hillegas have split (part major league-part minor league) contracts and will be paid on the basis of a $62,500 salary when and if they are in the minor leagues.

Information acquired from player agents and club sources.