Malone Has Options--Just Ask Anybody

A caller to the KXTA (1150) morning show recently suggested to co-hosts Derrick Hall and John Ireland that the Dodgers might solve their offensive problems by trading for Seattle Mariner all-star shortstop Alex Rodriguez.

But why stop there? Potential Dodger saviors are everywhere.

“I’ve been hearing that a lot from the fans, and that’s to be expected because they’re frustrated about how we’ve been playing,” General Manager Kevin Malone said. “I listen to the fans and I know how upset they are, and they have a right to be upset.

“I know some of them want us to make moves [trades], but I still believe in the talent we already have on this team. It’s also difficult to get some of the names I keep hearing out there. If it was that easy . . . well, let’s just say it’s not that easy.”

If it was easy, Malone might have overhauled the ballclub during the off-season. He didn’t because multiyear contracts, and teams’ lack of interest in the available Dodgers, limited his maneuverability.

There has been wide speculation that Malone will make a blockbuster deal before the July 31, non-waiver trading deadline in hopes of salvaging the season. Prominently mentioned, as usual, are first baseman Eric Karros and pitcher Ismael Valdes.

But the reality is that Malone will find it more difficult to drastically reshape the roster now than he did in the winter, many industry sources said.

Malone has previously been unwilling to trade the everyday players who would attract the most attention, including right fielder Raul Mondesi, young third baseman Adrian Beltre and rookie catcher Angel Pena. He also hasn’t been keen on moving starting pitchers Valdes, 25, Darren Dreifort, 27, and Chan Ho Park, 26.

Team President Bob Graziano is open to considering changes, but “it depends on what the long-term impact would be on the club. It depends on what the impact [of possible deals] would be in 2000 and 2001.”

But for Malone to make a big deal, several sources said that one of the pitchers must be included because Dreifort, Park and Valdes are the Dodger players other general managers want most. As Malone’s predecessor can attest, moving talented young pitchers can be risky business.

Trading Pedro Martinez is as much a part of Fred Claire’s legacy as the ballclub’s improbable 1988 World Series championship. Moreover, the Dodger farm system is devoid of impact players, making it difficult for Malone to package prospects in deals with high-priced veterans he might like to get rid of at this point.

Malone won’t comment on trade speculation, but he acknowledges there are obstacles to making deals.

“I think it would be fair to say that, if you wanted to do something [major], you would probably have to be creative,” Malone said. “Hopefully, the team will start playing the way we all know it can, and [making a major deal] this won’t be an issue.”

*

Park is scheduled to start Thursday against the Rockies in the final game of the four-game series.

The Coors Field launching pad is not the place to boost a struggling pitcher’s confidence, and Park is definitely struggling.

Park is 0-4 with a 10.04 earned-run average in his last four starts. Overall, Park is 4-7 with a 6.19 ERA.

He is a wreck mentally because of several factors, including his on-again, off-again contract negotiations that became a distraction earlier in the season. Park’s fastball still is being clocked consistently at 96 mph, he throws a wicked curve and his delivery is textbook.

“I would say 90% of this game is mental,” Dodger Manager Davey Johnson said, “and that’s what he’s having problems with right now.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (6-7, 5.69 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’ PEDRO ASTACIO (7-7, 5.56 ERA)

Coors Field, 6:05 PDT

TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Dreifort is 1-2 with a 3.38 earned-run average in his last three starts. Astacio has lost his last two starts.