Graziano Among Those Who Feel Frustrated

Dodger President Bob Graziano did not expect the ballclub to be in last place at any point this season.

But as June closes, the Dodgers are at the bottom of the National League West, trailing teams many figured they would outplay. Graziano included.

These are again difficult days for the Dodgers, and Graziano is frustrated by the team’s poor performance. Graziano, though, remains confident that the organization is moving in the right direction despite what is occurring on the field.

Team management is sticking together, Graziano said, and trying to make things work for the long haul. But it certainly hasn’t been easy.

“I’m extremely disappointed by where we are [in the standings],” Graziano said. “I think we all looked at the club and felt confident we were in a good position with the moves we made in the off-season, from bolstering the rotation by signing Kevin Brown to the other player-personnel moves.

“We made the player-payroll commitment that we did because we’re committed to fielding a first-place team, not just this season but every season. That won’t change because the fans deserve that. Unfortunately, the club has been struggling, and that’s been difficult for everyone.”

The Dodger payroll is about $80 million--one of the highest in the major leagues. In part, Graziano approved increasing the payroll from about $60 million at the end of last season because the farm system lacks impact players ready to contribute.

General Manager Kevin Malone and his staff are trying to rebuild the minor league operation while remaining in playoff contention. Graziano is confident Malone’s strategy is sound, and that the Dodgers are on the correct long-term course.

“Without a doubt,” Graziano said. “We knew going into it that we had work to do with the farm system. We’re obviously not pleased about how the team is playing, but the organization is moving forward. We’re not there yet, but we’re doing it the right way. I’m very encouraged by the work of the entire baseball operations staff.”

But how do the Fox guys view things?

Graziano consults Peter Chernin and Chase Carey--Rupert Murdoch’s top lieutenants--on major issues involving the team, such as stadium alterations and the signing of Brown to the $105-million contract that includes the use of a chartered jet for his family to attend games. The public perception is that Chernin and Carey really control the team because Carey engineered the seven-player Mike Piazza trade last season.

Team sources said Graziano is in fact in charge, but the Dodgers are under the Fox Group corporate umbrella. And this division isn’t performing as expected.

“I think Peter and Chase, and the entire Fox ownership, have been tremendously supportive,” Graziano said. “They really are taking a long-term view of the organization instead of the short term. We’ve basically made a number of changes over the last [two seasons] with the future in mind. Peter and Chase understand there are things we had to do.”

Because of circumstances last season, Graziano was forced to be more involved in the baseball operations than he would prefer. Now, he gladly leaves that department to Malone and Manager Davey Johnson.

“We meet and talk all the time about the team and what we can do to make things better, but they’re the ones who make the [player-personnel] decisions,” Graziano said. “I have the utmost confidence in both of them, and the thing that has pleased me is that we’ve stuck together in this difficult time. There is no finger pointing. It has been a team effort.”

*

Shortstop Mark Grudzielanek and reliever Antonio Osuna might start rehabilitation assignments “fairly soon,” Johnson said.

Grudzielanek has been out 23 games because of a fractured bone in his right hand. Grudzielanek said his hand felt good after he worked out in the field before Wednesday’s game.

Osuna has missed 51 games because he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his throwing elbow. The right-hander has not experienced pain while throwing on the side. Osuna is scheduled to work on the side again today.

If all goes well, Grudzielanek and Osuna might begin rehabilitation assignments as soon as this weekend.

*

Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth bruised his left arm while diving recently, Johnson said, and will be evaluated Friday by a team physician.

Hollandsworth has been on the disabled list twice and has been unavailable in 30 games this season.

TODAY

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (6-6, 5.67 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ MATT CLEMENT (4-7, 4.76 ERA)

Qualcomm Stadium, 2 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West 2.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Dreifort has had quality starts in his last two outings after it appeared he was headed to the bullpen. Dreifort is 1-1 with a 1.98 earned-run average since rookie Angel Pena became his primary catcher. Manager Davey Johnson has reinstated Todd Hundley as the No. 1 catcher, but the strong-armed Pena will continue to work with Dreifort, whose delivery is among the slowest on the staff. Clement is also hot. The rookie right-hander is 3-0 with a 4.00 ERA in his previous three starts.