Hamilton Gets a Raise, Now Tries to Keep Job

If the Dodgers plan to move Jeff Hamilton off third base, they certainly have a funny way of showing it. They agreed to terms with him Wednesday on a one-year contract worth $465,000, more than a 200% raise from last year’s salary.

Even though Manager Tom Lasorda has promised that Hamilton will be challenged by Hubie Brooks at third base this spring, Hamilton moves from a $150,000 salary into a class equal to other starting third basemen with three years of experience. Last season, after three full years each, Texas’ Steve Buechele was paid $410,000 and Toronto’s Kelly Gruber made $462,500.

Hamilton’s signing was also exceptionally quick, coming one day after he filed for arbitration. The Dodgers have four remaining players who have filed: Kal Daniels, Ray Searage, Rick Dempsey and Franklin Stubbs. But all four are expected to sign before their case reaches a hearing.

“Judging by how fast they handled this, and how they took care of him, you have to figure Jeff is an important player to them,” said Alan Hendricks, Hamilton’s agent. “You have to figure Hamilton is going to be their starting third baseman, period.”

After last season, some observers weren’t so sure. Although Hamilton led the team with 35 doubles, sixth best on the all-time Dodger list, his .951 fielding percentage ranked fourth among the league’s five third basemen who had played in at least 147 games. He batted only .245 with 12 home runs and 56 runs batted in.

Dodger officials seem divided on whether Hamilton will improve with time--he’ll be 26 in March--or whether it would be best to give his position to Brooks.

“This agreement reflects the progress Jeff has made,” Dodger Vice President Fred Claire said. “Jeff is a very important player for us, a good young player who has with the potential to be an outstanding player.”

Hamilton could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.