Darryl Strawberry Hints He Will Be in a Dodgers Uniform Next Year

Mets’ slugger Darryl Strawberry, who can file for free agency at the end of the season, gave his strongest indication so far that he might sign with the Dodgers next season.

Strawberry told reporters in Pittsburgh Monday night that he will listen when the Mets want to make another offer, but he’s not promising anything.

“I’m quite sure I’m going to listen to what the Mets have to say,” Strawberry said. “That’ll be my first priority.

“But if I do get the offer from the Dodgers, that’s where I’ll be. I’m not going to lie--if they give me a five-year deal at today’s rate, that’s where I’ll be.

“They have quality hitters already--Kal Daniels, Hubie Brooks, Eddie Murray,” Strawberry said of the Dodgers. “If I’m in the middle of that lineup, that’d be great--that’s what I want. Instead of being the only guy, I want to see what I can do with those kind of hitters around me.”

Strawberry said he has ruled out the San Diego Padres and any team that plays on an artificial surface.

“The Dodgers know how to win,” Strawberry said. “They’ve got heart and pride. That’s why those guys are winners.”

The Mets offered Strawberry slightly more than $9 million for three years in July and he rejected it. He wants a five-year deal for $20 million to $25 million.

New York halted the contract talks in mid-July and Strawberry, a native Californian, went on to have his best season with 37 homers and 108 RBIs.

Strawberry was critical of some of his Met teammates.

“We’ve got a couple of guys around here who have to grow up,” he said. “I’m not going to start naming names, but we’ve got guys that care too much about their stats. I don’t want to be around a team like that. I mean, us not winning this year is ridiculous.”

General Manager Frank Cashen and Senior Vice President Al Harazin traveled with the club to Pittsburgh with the intent of letting Strawberry know the Mets want him. Strawberry missed the final week of the season with a bad back and was on the bench Sunday when New York was eliminated.

“Obviously we do want to sign Strawberry,” Harazin said. “We will make a major effort to do that. Whether it’s enough to get the job done time will tell.”

Strawberry’s relationship with Cashen has deteriorated since the GM said the right fielder wasn’t a $5-million player. But Harazin said team owners Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon will not intervene in the negotiations.

“I think he’s gone,” teammate Howard Johnson said of Strawberry. “I don’t know anything, but the way he’s been treated, he’s had it up to here.”