Lasorda’s First Big Deal Is the Talk of the Game

The deal that sent Paul Konerko and Dennis Reyes to the Cincinnati Reds for closer Jeff Shaw on Saturday was among the most-discussed topics at the All-Star break in Denver.

The consensus was that Cincinnati General Manager Jim Bowden outfoxed Tom Lasorda.

Many baseball officials were stunned that the Dodger interim general manager traded Konerko--last season’s minor league player of the year--and the left-handed Reyes, who was selected the organization’s top pitching prospect last season.

Most Dodger officials believe Konerko will be a 30-homer, 100-RBI player for the next decade--and scouts in other organizations agree. Reyes is considered a potential 200-inning-plus pitcher.

Of course, there’s only one player-personnel opinion that matters now at Dodger Stadium.

“I made the deal because this is the guy we needed,” Lasorda said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Bowden was expected to wait until the All-Star break to trade Shaw, but he moved quickly to accept Lasorda’s offer because he was overwhelmed. The move crushed many within the Dodger organization because Konerko and Reyes were among the few prospects considered ready to contribute in the major leagues.

The deal was brokered by Lasorda with the support of President Bob Graziano, and with significant input from Vice President Ralph Avila.

Graziano and Avila are sounding boards for Lasorda, but Lasorda will ultimately shape the on-field product.

And if there’s anyone in the organization who doesn’t already understand that, they better figure it out quickly.

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The Dodgers and Seattle Mariners have resumed talks about left-handed pitcher Randy Johnson.

The Mariners killed a proposed deal June 2 with the Dodgers for the disgruntled star. With Ramon Martinez sidelined for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, the Dodgers need a No. 1 starter.

Officials from the teams tried to keep the talks secret this time because of criticism they faced when they failed to complete a deal previously. The Mariners want right-handed reliever Antonio Osuna, who was bumped from the closer role by Shaw, and second baseman Wilton Guerrero.

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Second baseman Eric Young tested his right quadriceps strain by running Wednesday during workouts at Dodger Stadium. The team will determine today whether to put Young on the 15-day disabled list.

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, four games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Today--1 p.m.

* TV--Channel 5 Friday, Fox Sports West 2 Saturday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 43-44, Padres 57-31.

* Record vs. Padres--0-2.

TODAY

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (7-5, 4.76 ERA) vs. PADRES’ MARK LANGSTON (3-1, 3.78 ERA)

* Update--Some are concerned because the team begins the second half without a fifth starter. Reyes occupied that role, but he’s with the Reds now. Lasorda was working the phones throughout the All-Star break, but he hasn’t filled the job. Left-hander Ted Lilly and right-hander Mike Judd--the organization’s top prospects--aren’t considered ready to make the jump from triple-A Albuquerque. Then again, in the New Dodger Order, they’re ready if Lasorda says they are. If Lasorda can’t acquire a fifth starter for Guerrero or disappointing outfielder Roger Cedeno, the position might have to be filled from within the major league staff. Left-hander Mark Guthrie and right-hander Jim Bruske would be the leading candidates for that spot, and they would prefer a larger role. The unoccupied spot in the rotation is scheduled to come up Sunday.

* Friday, 7 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (5-7, 3.61) vs. Kevin Brown (10-3, 2.67).

* Saturday, 7 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (6-8, 4.19) vs. Andy Ashby (11-5, 2.54).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Undecided vs. Joey Hamilton (6-9, 5.15).