Dodgers Take Care of Business by Coming to Terms With Young

Dodger second baseman Eric Young, who filled a large hole after being reacquired from the Colorado Rockies for pitcher Pedro Astacio, on Thursday agreed to a four-year, $18-million contract, avoiding arbitration.

Young, who made $3.2 million last season, had hoped to be rewarded for providing a big boost to the stagnant Dodger offense after the Aug. 18 trade. The Dodgers’ multiyear offer was exactly what he had in mind.

“I made it clear to the Dodgers that this was where I wanted to be, not just for one year but for several years,” Young said. “I made a commitment to the Dodgers, and I was just hoping they would do the same for me. They did that, so I’m a very happy man right now.”

The Dodgers also announced they had reached contract agreements of two years at $1.5 million with right-handed reliever Darren Hall, and one year with outfielder Billy Ashley. Hall is expected to be a key member of the Dodger bullpen, but the power-hitting Ashley, who received a raise to $450,000 from $275,000 largely because of his success as a pinch-hitter, doesn’t appear to be in the team’s plans. The Dodgers are trying to accommodate Ashley with a trade.

The Dodgers and Young reached contract terms one day after the Rockies and Astacio agreed to a four-year deal worth about $23 million.

Young, whom the Dodgers lost to the Rockies in the 1993 expansion draft, is being counted on for a consistent leadoff spark and sound play defensively. In 37 games with the Dodgers, he batted .273, scored 28 runs and had 13 stolen bases. Overall, Young played in 155 games, batting .280, with 106 runs and 45 steals.

Along with outfielder Otis Nixon, who has since signed with Minnesota, Young rejuvenated the Dodger offense. They provided speed at the top of the lineup and baserunners for Dodger power hitters. Young, who struggled offensively at the end of the season, said being with the Dodgers from the start will give him an edge.

“Last year, I came in and was basically thrown right into the fire of a pennant race,” he said. “Now, I’m getting to start out comfortably, and this will help me get a good feel for everyone.

“What happened at the end is nothing that can’t be corrected, and I’m looking forward to putting up big numbers. Just knowing that I’m going to be here is so important to me.”

Young came close to leaving again.

Wanting to protect the organization’s younger players, Dodger Executive Vice President Fred Claire left Young, 30, among the Dodgers exposed for the expansion draft. Young was rumored to be headed to the Cleveland Indians in a trade, but the deal collapsed in the first round and Young was protected thereafter. Had Young been selected by Arizona or Tampa Bay, he would have been the first player lost by the same team in two expansion drafts.

The Young deal seemingly delays the Dodgers’ plans for second baseman Wilton Guerrero. The Dodgers traded for Young because Guerrero was overwhelmed as a rookie.

Many within the organization think Guerrero, 23, has too much potential to give up on after less than a full season. But Young rarely takes days off, so how will Guerrero continue to develop?

“Wilton is an outstanding young player who has an important role with us, but I have no prediction on the future,” Claire said. “I just don’t know how all of that will turn out, but I’m not afraid of having too much talent.”