Dodgers Decide to Keep Gibson : Negotiations: Tigers reportedly offered pitcher Searcy, but Claire’s position has changed with the standings.

Late maneuvering Tuesday nearly resulted in a trade that sent Kirk Gibson to the Detroit Tigers hours before the 9 p.m. trading deadline, sources said. But the deal was refused by the Dodgers because of Gibson’s recent offensive surge and potential contributions to a pennant race.

After Tiger starter Steve Searcy struggled in a 6-2 loss in New York Monday night, Detroit General Manager Bill Lajoie phoned Dodger Vice President Fred Claire. Sources said that Searcy, who has a 1-2 record and 5.82 ERA, was offered for Gibson.

Claire, whose team is seeking a fifth starting pitcher, reportedly considered the deal throughout the day Tuesday. After consulting with advisers and team personnel, including Manager Tom Lasorda, who is one of Gibson’s biggest supporters, Claire decided to refuse Lajoie’s offer.

The Dodgers, who probably would have made that trade several weeks ago after Gibson demanded a trade, believe that Gibson’s ability to help the team make a late-season move made it worth the risk of losing him as a free agent this winter. Entering Tuesday, Gibson was hitting .352 in July with 10 RBIs.

“There was some activity today, yes,” Claire said of the trade talk.

Claire confirmed that his refusal to trade was affected by the club’s recent good play, saying, “The future is important, but the present is more important to us due to the fact of where we are (in the standings). If we were 15 games behind, it would obviously be a different script. But we’re not. There’s been a change in the last week or 10 days, there’s no denying that.”

Sources also say that the Dodgers could have dealt Gibson to the Oakland Athletics for some minor league pitchers, but countered with a request for big league pitcher Todd Burns, which the A’s refused.

If Gibson leaves the Dodgers as a free agent at the end of the season, a move he earlier told Claire was likely, Claire said he is uncertain whether they would receive a draft pick as compensation. Gibson’s inconsistent statistics since his 1988 most valuable player season make it difficult to predict his free-agent rating, which will determine compensation.