Murray Threatens Free Agency Unless Dodgers Extend Contract

Eddie Murray, the Dodgers’ most valuable player last season, has been denied a request for a contract extension, and Murray is considering leaving the team when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Murray’s representatives told the Dodgers that if the team did not grant him an extension by the end of spring training, he would be unwilling to negotiate this season and probably would test free agency next winter.

Murray is in the final year of a five-year contract that will pay him $2.8 million this season.

“I have no comment to make on any of that,” said Fred Claire, Dodger vice president.

Ron Shapiro, Murray’s agent, would also not comment, nor would Murray.

Murray’s request represents yet another problem caused by the Dodgers’ refusal to grant extensions this spring, despite having signed free agents Darryl Strawberry, Brett Butler and Kevin Gross for a total of $36.65 million.

Jay Howell, the team’s top relief pitcher, also was denied an extension. He held out for four days in protest.

“I’ll repeat what I have said--we will not discuss contract extensions with anyone at the current time,” Claire said. “Will that philosophy change during the season? I’ll have to make a judgment on that. At this point, the future of the baseball economic situation is an unknown. There are many questions left unanswered.”

Murray, 35, represents Claire’s biggest potential problem because he is an everyday player whose impact on the Dodgers was unmatched last season.

“Without a doubt, he is a great force on the field and in the clubhouse,” outfielder Chris Gwynn said. “We all know Darryl Strawberry is bona fide, but not many of us have played with him before. We have all seen Eddie. In many quiet ways, he is the leader of this team.”

Murray had the highest batting average in the major leagues last season at .330, even though he finished second in the National League race to Willie McGee, who played long enough with the St. Louis Cardinals to win the batting title before finishing with Oakland. McGee hit a combined .324.

Murray hit 26 home runs, running his total to 379, which ties Dwight Evans for the lead among active players. He homered from both sides of the plate in the same game for the 10th time, tying Mickey Mantle’s record.

He missed only seven games despite several nagging injuries. Those are the only games he has missed since joining the Dodgers in 1989.

“Eddie’s the kind of guy who is always there, whether it is on the field or helping you out with some tip,” catcher Mike Scioscia said. “He is invaluable to us.”