$36 Million Makes Mondesi Happy

A day after saying he felt “unappreciated,” Dodger outfielder Raul Mondesi had reason to smile again. Millions of them.

Mondesi on Friday accepted the richest deal in Dodger history, agreeing to the four-year, $36 million deal that could become the six-year, $60-million contract he had sought. The deal puts Mondesi among the game’s highest-paid players--where he said he belongs.

“I’ve done a lot for this team, and the Dodgers have shown me what they think of me,” said Mondesi, who had been frustrated by the pace of the negotiations. “The Dodgers have proven they want to keep me for a long time, and that’s very important to me.

“I’m happy and I’m ready to go to spring training. I’m going to keep working hard to put up big numbers for the Dodgers. I want to show everybody why the Dodgers [agreed to the deal].”

Mondesi will receive a $2-million signing bonus in addition to a $5-million salary in 1998. His salary escalates to $8.5 million in 1999, $9.5 million in 2000 and $11 in 2001. The Dodgers hold options for 2002 and 2003 at salaries of $11 and $13 million, respectively. There is no buyout after the fourth year, but after five years the club can buy out the final year for $1 million.

The four-year guaranteed portion of the deal ties Mondesi for the eighth-highest contract in baseball with Matt Williams of the Arizona Diamondbacks. And the average annual salary is the highest in the game for players with four years of service time, exceeding the $7.5-million average of the two-year deal signed by Dodger catcher Mike Piazza in 1997.

Moreover, Mondesi’s deal is the biggest in franchise history, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s $20.25-million contract in November 1990. However, Piazza may soon eclipse Mondesi.

“This is a very important signing for us because Raul is a very important player,” Executive Vice President Fred Claire said. “There were many people who worked hard in the negotiations.

“I’m looking at our team now, with [first baseman] Eric Karros signed for three more years, [second baseman] Eric Young who recently signed a long-term deal, and with many of our pitchers in good contract situations. From an overall standpoint, this really stabilizes our team. This gives us a chance to let our farm system continue to produce.”

Agreeing to terms with Mondesi, 26, was high on the Dodgers’ list of off-season concerns. By doing so, they avoided possibly going to arbitration with him twice, and eliminated the first two years he would have been eligible for free agency. Mondesi, who made $2.7 million last season, recently filed for arbitration, seeking $6.5 million. The Dodgers countered at $5.3 million.

On Thursday, Mondesi expressed anger over the Dodgers’ reluctance to meet his contract request. He instructed his agent, Jeff Moorad, to stop negotiating with the team and even considered requesting a trade.

But by Friday afternoon, the Dodgers and Moorad had worked out a deal that Mondesi quickly embraced.

“The negotiations were long and sometimes difficult,” Moorad said. “But Raul and I both felt the Dodgers stepped up in a fair and generous way.

“It was an emotional process on both sides, but there were concessions made and we made it work. We came out of it with a contract that reflects the market today for a player of Raul’s caliber, and the Dodgers have Raul for the next six years.”

Mondesi, the 1994 rookie of the year, is considered to be among the game’s best right fielders.

Last season, Mondesi became the first Dodger to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single season, batting .310 with 30 home runs, 87 runs batted in and 32 stolen bases. Mondesi also led the Dodgers with 42 doubles and won his second Gold Glove award.

He was one of the few Dodgers who didn’t contribute to the team’s September swoon, batting .326.

“I want to say thank you to Fred and all of the Dodger management for giving me the opportunity to play baseball,” Mondesi said. “This was my dream. All I want to do now is help my team win the World Series.”

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TOP SALARIES

Figures were obtained by the Associated Press from player and management sources and include all guaranteed income but not income from potential incentive bonuses. There is no distinction for money deferred without interest: *--*

Player, Club Years Average Salary Pedro Martinez, Red Sox 1998-03 $12,500,000 Greg Maddux, Braves 1998-02 $11,500,000 Barry Bonds, Giants 1999-00 $11,450,000 Albert Belle, White Sox 1997-01 $11,000,000 Sammy Sosa, Cubs 1998-01 $10,625,000 Gary Sheffield, Marlins 1998-03 $10,166,667 Mark McGwire, Cardinals 1998-00 $9,500,000 Raul Mondesi, DODGERS 1998-01 $9,000,000 Matt Williams, Diamondbacks 1999-03 $9,000,000 Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners 1997-00 $8,500,000 Tom Glavine, Braves 1998-01 $8,500,000 Pat Hentgen, Blue Jays 1999 $8,500,000

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