BASEBALL : O’Malley Says ‘Economic Disaster’ Looms

Dodger President Peter O’Malley said it will be “economic disaster” if the baseball season opens with replacement players, but he is braced for the inevitable.

“You hear (acting Commissioner) Bud Selig and others say the short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain,” O’Malley said. “Well, I’d like someone to explain that one to me. How anyone can come to that conclusion is beyond me.”

Although the Dodgers will reduce their player payroll by about $25 million if replacement players are used, O’Malley said the club would incur losses.

“I can’t believe that any club will be better off,” O’Malley said. “You still have significant expenses, and your income will be impacted by ticket prices, TV-radio revenue, properties, licensing. . . .

“Downsizing in the industry would be unavoidable, and if someone says it will take two years to recover, I say it’s going to take longer. The effect of this is going to be longer than anybody realizes.”

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The Dodgers are interested in signing left-handed free-agent pitcher Derek Lilliquist, who also is being pursued by the Atlanta Braves.