DODGER NOTEBOOK : Howell, Griffin Get Inflation Lesson

The Dodgers took an unusual step in the battle against baseball inflation Friday by exercising contract options for the 1991 season on relief pitcher Jay Howell and shortstop Alfredo Griffin.

They also whittled their number of arbitration-eligible players to three by signing catcher Rick Dempsey to a one-year contract. Still eligible are Kal Daniels, Ray Searage and Franklin Stubbs, all of whom exchanged figures with the Dodgers Friday.

Daniels, who made $325,000 last year, is seeking $700,000, and the Dodgers are offering $550,000. Stubbs, who made $345,000, is seeking $495,000 against $400,000. Searage, who made $140,000, is seeking $395,000 and being offered $300,000. If the players and club can’t reach agreement before an upcoming hearing date, an arbitrator will decide between the player’s figure and the club’s figure.

The Dodgers made certain there would be no financial indecision next year with Howell and Griffin. By exercising those options a year in advance, the Dodgers will be getting Howell for $1.05 million in 1991. They will be getting Griffin for $900,000. Both players signed these deals in the winter of 1988-89, before baseball’s recent salary boom, which has left some agents questioning the Dodgers’ good faith.

Steve Comte, Howell’s agent, was being careful with his words.

“You can’t file a grievance--it’s a signed contract,” Comte said. “But clearly some issues here are left to be discussed. We clearly know what is right. We clearly know what we want, and we have to handle that through appropriate means. This is a very fragile thing right now.”

Claire admitted that the early renewals were uncommon. He also admitted they were based on current economic conditions.

“Are we affected by current events?” Claire said. “Most certainly. We always have been, and always will be. As the game undergoes changes, we have to react to those changes. This is, perhaps, unusual. But this is also a reflection of the confidence we have in these players.”

Howell set a club record with 28 saves along with a 1.58 earned-run average in 56 appearances in 1989. Griffin, bothered by both hand and shoulder problems, batted .247 but was once again spectacular in the field, finishing tied for third in fielding percentage among National League shortstops with just 14 errors in 555 chances (.975).

Citing frustration over his lack of choices, Tim Belcher said that walking out of spring training “is an option” if he and management don’t reach agreement on a contract Belcher hopes will be worth close to $1 million.

“I’m not saying I will walk out. I’m only saying that when you don’t have arbitration, you don’t have leverage,” he said. “So walking out of camp becomes your leverage.”

Belcher has just two full years of experience, thus does not qualify for arbitration.

If there is no agreement by early March, the Dodgers can simply fill in a salary figure that Belcher will have to accept. That happened last season, when he was renewed at $225,000, less than he had had in mind but still the highest salary for a second-year player in baseball.

Belcher is hoping to at least quadruple that figure. The Dodgers will probably offer closer to the $500,000. Belcher was 15-12 with a 2.82 earned run average in 1989. He had seven consecutive victories and was 5-0 in September with a 1.51 ERA. He led the major leagues with eight shutouts, was tied for first in the National League with 10 complete games, and finished second in strikeouts with 200.