Valenzuela, Howell Sign Contracts With Dodgers

If Fernando Valenzuela’s shoulder remains something of an uncertainty, the Dodgers provided his rehabilitation with a mental and financial boost Monday.

They did not insist that he take the maximum 20% pay cut, which would have reduced his salary from $2,050,000 to $1,640,000. Instead, after only one negotiating session, agent Tony DeMarco and attorney Dick Moss came to terms with the Dodgers on a 1-year contract for $1,850,000.

Valenzuela, who turned 28 today, was one of nine Dodgers eligible for free agency, but that list was reduced to seven when relief ace Jay Howell also came to terms.

Howell, who made $595,000 as he led the Dodgers with 21 saves last season, agreed to a contract that guarantees him $2,250,000 over 2 years and $3 million if the club picks up an option for 1991.

Howell is guaranteed a $250,000 signing bonus and salaries of $800,000 in 1989 and $900,000 in 1990. He also will receive a $300,000 buyout if the Dodgers do not pick up the option for 1991. If they do, his salary will be $1,050,000.

Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ executive vice president, said he has now imposed a deadline of Friday midnight for signing the seven Dodgers still eligible for free agency.

They are Steve Sax, Mike Marshall, Mickey Hatcher, Alejandro Pena, Jesse Orosco, Mario Soto and Alfredo Griffin, who filed for free agency Monday, the first Dodger to do so.

After Friday, those players who have filed for free agency can begin accepting bids from all clubs. Until then, they are limited to negotiations with their own club.

Claire said the deadline is designed to avoid bidding wars.

“There’s some risk involved,” he said of the attempt to get the seven signed by Friday. “But if we can’t accomplish this by the time they start receiving bids from other clubs, then our chances don’t improve anyway. We’ve been very direct on this with all the agents.”

Claire added, however, that although he will terminate negotiations as of midnight Friday, he will offer arbitration to any of the Dodger free agents who remain unsigned in December.

Free agency did not seem to be a viable option for Valenzuela, considering the shoulder injury that restricted him to 2 appearances after July 31, both in the final week of the season. He was 5-8 with a 4.42 earned-run average.

DeMarco said that Valenzuela was determined to remain with the Dodgers and that, from the start of Monday’s negotiations, Claire and club counsel Sam Fernandez seemed equally determined to make Valenzuela feel good about his situation.

“They never tried to put him down in any way,” DeMarco said, adding that both sides recognized the fairness in a 1-year contract.

“The more Fernando rests and the more he continues on his (rehabilitation) program, the stronger he gets, though he feels strong now,” DeMarco said.

“He feels he is already back, and that the 1-year contract will allow him to show his stuff, then go on to bigger and better things. It makes sense.”

The $1,850,000 salary represents the approximate average of Valenzuela’s 3-year, $5.5-million contract, which expired with the end of the 1988 season.

Claire said the Dodgers would have been justified in cutting Valenzuela 20% but recognized his contributions and dedication to the club and community, as well as his positive attitude since he was put on the disabled list.

“One year seemed right and fair,” Claire said of the new contract. “And we’re pleased that Dick and Tony saw it in the same light. Otherwise, it would have made the negotiations very difficult.”

Valenzuela allowed 2 earned runs in the 7 innings of his 2 September appearances. Claire said Monday he was encouraged and optimistic about his chances for a complete comeback. More than ever, Valenzuela is a key player. John Tudor underwent elbow surgery last week and is not expected to pitch until midseason at the earliest, leaving Valenzuela as the only potential left-hander in the rotation.

Of Howell’s signing, Claire cited the rehabilitation of a bullpen that led the National League with 49 saves and said, “Jay was the leader in that and should continue to be in the future.”

Dodger Notes

Randy Hendricks, who along with his brother, Alan, represents Alfredo Griffin, said they would work within the framework of the Dodgers’ deadline but will not be left with a “feeling of failure” if Griffin is not signed by Friday midnight. “They’ve created an artificial deadline that may backfire if they lose a key player they might otherwise have signed by continuing to negotiate,” Hendricks said. “What if this was next year when Orel Hershiser is eligible for free agency and he called on Monday to say he had decided to accept the offer they made Friday? Would they tell him it was too late?” . . . Griffin is believed to be seeking a 3-year contract, and the Dodgers have offered 2, with a considerable difference in money as well. . . . Fred Claire, executive vice president, also met Monday with Alan Meersand, the agent for Jesse Orosco, who is believed to be seeking a 2-year contract at the same salary ($1 million) that he earned this year. Claire is believed to have told Meersand that if the Dodgers make an offer it will include a salary cut. Meersand refused to reveal details of their conversation but said Orosco is opposed to a cut. “He came to the Dodgers as a million-dollar pitcher and still thinks he is a million-dollar pitcher,” Meersand said. “He still considers himself one of the best left-handers in the game, even though he wasn’t given much of a chance to prove it after May. That aside, Fred and I had a cordial conversation and are scheduled to talk again tomorrow (today).” . . . Bob Teaff, an attorney who along with Jerry Kapstein represents Mike Marshall and Steve Sax, refused to characterize the progress of their talks with Claire but said they are scheduled to continue today, though Claire drove to Palm Springs Monday night to attend a 3-day general managers meeting.