DeShields Signs One-Year Deal With Dodgers for $3 Million

While major league owners were making their strongest statement yet on the use of replacement players in 1995, second baseman Delino DeShields, who would have been eligible for restricted free agency under the compensation system that the owners are expected to implement on Monday, agreed to a 1995 contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday for $3 million, a $300,000 raise.

DeShields batted .250 in 89 games last year, battling a succession of injuries. As a veteran of five major league seasons, under terms of the new system, he would have been eligible for a new form of free agency, with the Dodgers having the right of first refusal and required to offer a 10% raise to $2.97 million to qualify to keep him.

“Delino had one physical nightmare after another last year and was very appreciative of the support he received from the Dodgers . . . ,” agent Adam Katz said. “He didn’t want to get into a situation where the Dodgers would have been forced to meet an offer from another team, and he didn’t want to consider a multiyear contract in a depressed market while coming off all the injuries. Next year he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.”

While owners and players did nothing more than cover old ground in bargaining talks with mediator William J. Usery, Boston Red Sox Chief Executive Officer John Harrington seemed to indicate that the clubs will definitely attempt to open the 1995 season with replacement players if the union is still on strike.

“We want to make a commitment to the fans that we’re going to play the 1995 season with some caliber of professional baseball player and we believe it will be entertaining and we believe that’s what the fans want,” Harrington said. “If (the current major leaguers) are unwilling to play, then we’ll go with someone else who is willing to play.”