Dodgers Near a Deal to Bring Green to L.A.

Indicating a deal sending Shawn Green to the Dodgers appears imminent, the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to exercise Raul Mondesi’s contract options to help spur a multiplayer trade between the teams, sources said Sunday night.

The Blue Jays have guaranteed the final two years remaining in the deal Mondesi signed in 1998, paying him $11 million in 2002 and $13 million in 2003, according to sources in Toronto.

That removed another hurdle from the process of potentially swapping the all-star right fielders because Mondesi might have opposed the deal unless something had been done to benefit him.

Meanwhile, Dodger chairman Robert Daly and General Manager Kevin Malone continued to negotiate the terms of a multiyear contract with Green’s agent, Jeff Moorad, late Sunday night at Moorad’s Newport Beach office, sources said. Green, who turns 27 on Wednesday, is believed to be seeking a deal that would average $14 million to $15 million annually.

The Dodgers had a 72-hour window to reach agreement with Green and complete the trade, and their deadline is today. Several sources said the deal will occur unless the Dodgers refuse Green’s request.

Malone and Moorad were unavailable for comment because of the negotiations. Other Dodger officials at the general managers’ meetings at Dana Point were prohibited from commenting on the talks by Daly and Malone.

Toronto President and General Manager Gord Ash also declined comment regarding the negotiations, saying, “We [the Blue Jays] have had no input at all in the [Dodgers’] discussions with [Moorad],” but acknowledged “something is going on.”

Mondesi’s contract does not include a no-trade clause, and the six-year veteran lacks the requisite major league service time to block trades.

However, the Blue Jays were reluctant to acquire the disgruntled Mondesi unless they had a sense that he would view the move favorably.

Mondesi blasted Malone and Manager Davey Johnson during an unprecedented expletive-filled diatribe Aug. 11 while demanding to be traded, increasing the Dodgers’ interest in Green. Not surprisingly, the Blue Jays hope Mondesi’s attitude will improve because of his revised deal.

Toronto’s commitment pushes the previously guaranteed portion of Mondesi’s deal--four years, $36 million--to a six-year, $60-million package including a $2-million signing bonus.

Mondesi, who earned $8.5 million this season, will make $9.5 million and $11 million, respectively, the next two seasons.

The Blue Jays have already agreed in principle to accept Mondesi as the centerpiece of a deal for the left-handed, power-hitting Green, who is eligible for free agency after next season. Now, Green’s contract situation is the last piece to complete the puzzle.

Despite their payroll concerns, the Dodgers are eager to reach an agreement with Green for many reasons. The former Tustin High standout wants to play for the Dodgers, and Mondesi has reiterated his desire to be traded.

Moreover, Dodger officials are aware of the organization’s negative image after their poor season and several missteps under Fox.

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The Dodgers have hired Tom Gamboa, a former Chicago Cub coach, to manage triple-A Albuquerque, sources said.

Gamboa, 51, served as the Cubs’ third base coach the last two seasons. He spent three years as the organization’s minor league field coordinator, and was the San Diego Padres’ director of minor league instruction for four seasons.

The Southland native replaces Mike Scioscia, who left the organization after managing the Dukes last season.