This Isn’t Happy Time for Dodgers

Fernando Valenzuela isn’t the only unhappy Dodger.

Utility man Mickey Hatcher was offered a contract similar to last year’s $450,000 pact, and is strongly considering becoming a free agent, like Valenzuela.

And utility man Franklin Stubbs, upset over a lack of playing time, formally issued a trade demand last Friday before rescinding it over the weekend.

“Mickey’s feelings are hurt, and he can’t stay in Los Angeles with their current offer,” Hatcher’s agent, Willie Sanchez, said Thursday. Although Sanchez refused to confirm the figures, Hatcher is believed to be seeking a raise that would bring him closer to $550,000. Hatcher batted .295 with a team-leading 10 pinch-hit runs batted in last season.

Sanchez has until Monday’s free-agent filing deadline to decide whether Hatcher will join Valenzuela, infielder Dave Anderson, outfielder John Shelby and pitcher John Tudor as the Dodgers who can be courted by other teams. Pitcher Mike Morgan, who also was eligible for free agency, signed a two-year contract last month.

“We have made an offer we hope will keep Mickey with the Dodgers,” Dodger Vice President Fred Claire said. “We are always open to discussion, but there are positions you have to take.”

Said Sanchez: “We think the Dodgers are taking advantage of the age situation (Hatcher will be 35 when the season opens). To make their kind of offer, they also were not taking into consideration his influence in the clubhouse. It was all very surprising, frankly. We thought Mickey would be signed by the Dodgers by now.”

The problem with Stubbs is not money. Upset that he has had just 345 at-bats in the last two years, the backup first baseman and outfielder briefly used his rights as a five-year player to demand that the Dodgers trade him. A day later, however, Stubbs’ agent, Jim Turner, rescinded the demand. He just wanted the Dodgers to know of Stubbs’ unhappiness.

“I’ve never seen the Dodgers take advantage of a guy who can hit the ball out of the park like they’ve taken advantage of Franklin--never,” Turner said. “They have, in essence, ruined the future of a player who has busted his butt for them.”

In four full seasons with the Dodgers, Stubbs has hit 51 homers in 1,151 at-bats, or one homer every 22.5 at-bats. But a knee injury ended his 1989 season in August and has since hurt his trade value.

“As is the case with any player on a rehabilitation program, other clubs want to see him healthy and performing,” Claire said.