A Team in Turmoil

Shortly after having been hired, Dodger Manager Davey Johnson traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet with several players who live in the tiny island nation.

Johnson was especially eager to speak with Raul Mondesi.

The successful manager was returning to baseball after a one-season hiatus, and Johnson believed that persuading the gifted right fielder to accept his program would be among the keys to his first season at the Dodgers’ helm. Johnson was hoping to prove his commitment to helping Mondesi and the Dodgers become all they could be.

But team sources said Johnson never got to make his sales pitch. Mondesi failed to show for three scheduled meetings with his new manager, establishing a pattern that has frustrated Johnson and his superiors at Chavez Ravine all season.

The seeds for Mondesi’s tirade Wednesday were sown months ago, and what has grown threatens to destroy everything the new management regime hopes to build.

The Dodgers are at a crossroads with Mondesi, and choosing the wrong path might set the franchise back even further. And at this point, the Dodgers can’t afford another major misstep.

“This isn’t acceptable and we’re taking the appropriate steps internally,” General Manager Kevin Malone said of Mondesi’s outburst against him and Johnson. “We’re going to handle the situation as we feel is best, but we’re going to keep that within the organization.

“But as far as what we’re going to do long term [about Mondesi], I’m not going to comment on that. We’re going to keep all of our options open and we’re going to continue to support Raul and help him in any way we can.”

Of course, Mondesi didn’t become a disciplinary problem overnight. Former managers Tom Lasorda and Bill Russell had their run-ins with Mondesi, and Johnson hoped to learn from their experiences.

He spoke with longtime members of the organization while trying to learn how to best deal with Mondesi.

Johnson determined that he would get the most from Mondesi if he accommodated him as much as possible. Pounding Mondesi publicly wouldn’t work because he’s making $8.5 million this season in the middle of a multiyear deal, and there is only so much any manager can do with a player of Mondesi’s caliber making that much money.

Benching Mondesi for prolonged periods this season--even during his 112-at-bat homerless stretch--wasn’t a viable option. Johnson supported Mondesi, shielding him from criticism by keeping the player’s disregard for team rules private. Johnson only recently acknowledged that Mondesi had been fined often this season.

His aim was to keep Mondesi happy and, hopefully, productive. The plan failed on both counts.

Now, Johnson is left to sift through the rubble of the bomb Mondesi dropped Wednesday. For his part, the cerebral Johnson is preaching forgiveness and understanding. However, fans in the right-field pavilion might not be as compassionate as Johnson.

“I don’t have a doghouse,” Johnson said. “I don’t hold it against players for what they say. I’m disappointed, after what we’ve been through, that that’s what came out of this thing.

“If I thought he meant any of what he said, I’d be upset. One thing about Mondy is that he sometimes starts talking before everything is plugged in.”

For what it’s worth, Mondesi appeared dejected Thursday after the Dodgers’ 10-5 victory over the Expos at Olympic Stadium. He returned to the starting lineup, singling once in five at-bats and scoring two runs.

Before leaving for the airport, the Dodgers released a one-paragraph statement attributed to Mondesi that read: “I want to apologize to Kevin Malone, Davey Johnson, my teammates and, most importantly, to Dodger fans for the comments I made yesterday. In what has been a frustrating season, I let my emotions get the best of me. I am thankful the fans in Los Angeles have stood behind me throughout my career, and I will continue to play hard for the Dodgers. I am truly sorry this has been a distraction for my teammates and the organization.”

As damage control goes, Dodger officials acknowledge, the brief statement won’t mollify irate fans. But at this point, they have to do what they can.

So where do they go from here?

Malone is noncommittal about trading the 28-year-old Mondesi because he is five-tool player with immense potential. Malone declined to discuss whether Mondesi has cleared waivers, but an industry source said he has.

That means the Dodgers could trade Mondesi before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline. However, several industry sources said it was unlikely the Dodgers would trade Mondesi until the off-season, if they choose to move him.

Some scouts believe Mondesi is on a downward slide, but there will be teams lining up to bid for him if Malone, Johnson and President Bob Graziano believe the damage done by Wednesday’s outburst is irreparable.

“I believe everything happens for a reason, and this had to come to a head,” Johnson said. “I’m going to win, and either you accept that and the responsibility that goes along with that . . . If you don’t, then it’s a failure. As far as I’m concerned, we finally understand each other, so to speak.”

It appears Johnson may continue to wait for Mondesi a little longer.

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Rating Raul

A look at where Raul Mondesi ranks among NL outfielders this season:

Batting average: .249 (40th)

Homers: 24 (6th)

RBIs: 67 (14th)

Runs: 72 (12th)

Salary: $9 million (3rd)