Dreifort Signs With Dodgers for One Year

Dodger right-hander Darren Dreifort, expected to compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, on Wednesday agreed to a one-year, $685,000 contract.

Dreifort, who earned $220,000 last season and was eligible for arbitration, was 5-2 with four saves and a 2.86 earned-run average in 48 relief appearances. Dreifort was selected in the first round--No. 2 overall--by the Dodgers in the 1993 free-agent draft. He missed the 1995 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow.

But Dreifort, 25, rebounded from his arm trouble, emerging as one of the most consistent members of the Dodger bullpen. He seems a likely candidate to succeed retired closer Todd Worrell, but many within the organization believe Dreifort is better suited to be a starter.

Left-hander Dennis Reyes appears to be Dreifort’s strongest challenger to make the rotation. Manager Bill Russell is counting on Dreifort, no matter his role.

“He can do a lot to help this team as a starter or out of the bullpen,” Russell recently said of Dreifort. “We just have to figure out what’s the best way for him to contribute.”

The Dodgers also announced the signings of pitchers William Brunson, Marc Deschenes and Frank Lankford, outfielder Kevin Gibbs and catcher Paul LoDuca to contracts for the 1998 season. All five played in the minor leagues last year.

*

Angel pitcher Allen Watson will file for arbitration today, barring a last-minute deal, according to his agent, Tony Giordano. “This is just a formality,” Giordano said. “It’s part of the process.”

Still, Watson could become the first Angel to go to arbitration since Bill Bavasi became general manager in 1994. The two sides will exchange salary figures early next week. Watson, 27, was 12-12 with a 4.93 ERA last season, while earning $1.2 million.

*

Right-hander Pedro Astacio, 5-1 with a 4.25 ERA for the Colorado Rockies last season, agreed to a four-year contract worth about $23 million.

Astacio, 28, would have been eligible for free agency after the 1998 season. He earned $2.9 million last season.

*

The San Diego Padres acquired speedy outfielder James Mouton from the Houston Astros for pitcher Sean Bergman, whose 6.09 ERA last year was the worst of his career.

Mouton, who started 40 games in a crowded Astro outfield, hit .211 with three homers, 23 runs batted in and nine stolen bases. He has 79 stolen bases in parts of four seasons with the Astros.

*

Left-handed reliever Alan Embree and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a two-year contract worth $1,475,000.

Embree was 3-1 with a 2.54 ERA and no saves in 66 games last season.

*

Jason Bere, 4-2 last year in a comeback season after elbow surgery, agreed to a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Chicago White Sox.

The 26-year-old right-hander made $420,000 last season when he posted a 4.71 ERA in six starts with Chicago.

*

A Japanese newspaper reported that Mariano Duncan will leave the Toronto Blue Jays to play for the Yomiuri Giants, with a contract worth $1.1 million next season.

*

Pizza mogul and Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch underwent bypass heart surgery in Royal Oak, Mich.