A Green Day for Blue

Completing their intense pursuit of Shawn Green, the Dodgers made the all-star outfielder baseball’s second highest-paid player Monday after acquiring him in a four-player trade that sent outfielder Raul Mondesi and pitcher Pedro Borbon to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Dodgers sealed the blockbuster deal with their second stunning financial commitment in as many off-seasons, giving Green a six-year, $84-million contract. The $14-million average annual value is second only to that of the $15-million average of Dodger pitcher Kevin Brown’s seven-year, $105-million deal.

The left-handed slugger received a $4-million signing bonus and will make $8.75 million next season. His salary increases to $11.5 million in 2001, $12.75 million in 2002 and $15 million in 2003.

Then there are the final years of the contract. Green will make $16 million in 2004 and ‘05--the highest single-season salary in baseball history.

Green’s arrival ends Mondesi’s tenure with the Dodgers after six productive--and sometimes turbulent--seasons. Mondesi blasted team officials while demanding to be traded during an expletive-filled diatribe Aug. 11, spurring his departure.

Borbon was a key member of the bullpen in his only season with the team after making a comeback from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Toronto also sent minor league middle infielder Jorge Nunez to the Dodgers.

Dodger officials acknowledge Green can’t fix all the problems the disappointing ballclub experienced during a 77-85 season, and they still have work to do. But after many missteps, the Dodgers believe they’re back on track with Green.

“He’s a special player,” said Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone, announcing the deal during the general managers’ meetings at Dana Point. “He fits our needs in the fact that he bats left-handed, we need left-handed power to balance out our lineup, and he has what we were looking for. But he’s also a lot more than that.

“He’s a young man with leadership skills and the character of what champions are made of. Shawn brings that character and integrity that is so essential to having a championship quality club. We’re looking to add men like Shawn Green to our club to help us elevate ourselves to being a better team.”

Green hopes to fill that role.

“My goal is to come here and win, and to do it right away,” the former Tustin High standout said. “I think I can have a big impact as far as the stats go, but I also think I can help out with the performance of the other players in the lineup.

“I think I not only have to do my job, but also help some of the other players. I think that’s my role coming in here.”

He did his part for the Blue Jays, establishing personal bests in every offensive category this season while making $2.825 million. Green, who turns 27 on Wednesday, batted .309 with 42 home runs, 123 runs batted in and 134 runs.

Getting Green is what Manager Davey Johnson wanted.

“I’ve been an admirer of Shawn Green for a long time,” Johnson said. “He does a lot of things well and, again, the left-handed bat gives you some options.

“He’s going to help us do some things that will improve our lineup. He’s the type of guy who really adds to the whole team with everything he brings. You can envision a lot of possibilities.”

Outfielder Gary Sheffield can’t wait to explore them.

“Shawn Green is a great fit for our team,” Sheffield said. “Left-handed power is the main thing in the game today, and he’s one of those guys teams have to pay attention to.

“He can create havoc in the middle of that batting order, and that just helps improve everything else. This is the type of [acquisition] that can really help us turn the corner.”

Mondesi walked away quietly.

“It has been tough the last couple of months,” Mondesi said during a phone interview from the Dominican Republic. “In a lot of ways, it has been a very tough year, but I’m moving on now.

“I feel a little sad leaving the Dodgers and some good friends there. I’ve been there my whole career, but I’m excited to be going to Toronto.”

Borbon also took the high road.

“Trades are just part of the game,” Borbon said. “I’m not going to lie and say I won’t miss a lot of people. I’m going to miss a lot of guys, especially [catcher Todd] Hundley, and [pitcher Alan] Mills.

“But I understand why the Dodgers did this. They really wanted this guy [Green], and they had to get him. I don’t think they had any choice but to make this deal right now.”

The Dodgers have been working on acquiring Green since the regular season ended. Malone and Sam Fernandez, team counsel, negotiated with Jeff Moorad, who represents Green and Mondesi, late Sunday night, and new Dodger Chairman Robert Daly closed the deal Monday afternoon.

“Kevin and I spent a lot of time with Shawn on Saturday to really find out if Shawn wanted to play for the Dodgers,” said Daly, considered among the savviest negotiators in Hollywood while running Warner Bros. “It was important, I felt, that there was somebody here who wanted to be a Dodger.

“We spent a long time talking, and I was unbelievable impressed. Not only obviously with his stats, but by what a fine young man he is. I think this is a big day in Los Angeles history. I think we will build a terrific franchise with him.”

Of course, Green didn’t come cheaply.

Dodger critics contend that the ballclub continues to distort baseball’s salary structure with the record-setting signings of Brown and Green. Before signing Green, the Dodgers budgeted about $93 million for payroll in 2000.

The team’s salary structure projections won’t change much next season because Mondesi would have been paid $9.5 million, and Green will make $8.75 million. However, Green’s deal will have a significant impact in the future.

“When people talk about our payroll next season, you have to remember something,” Daly said. “We’re paying Shawn a lot of money, but we also paid Mondesi a lot of money.

“So, in effect, our payroll for next year stays about the same as it would have been had Mondesi stayed here. And Mondesi didn’t want to be here. Shawn wanted to be here.”

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How They Stack Up

Comparing Mondesi’s and Green’s numbers over the last two seasons:

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Mondesi Green 183 Runs 240 314 Hits 365 55 Doubles 78 63 Home runs 77 189 RBI 223 101 Walks 116 246 Strikeouts 259 .266 Average .293 .489 Slug Pct. .548 .327 OB Pct. .363 12 Errors 8

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Where Green Ranks

How Green ranked among all right fielders last season:

Batting average: .309 (7th)

Doubles: 45 (2nd)

Home runs: 42 (4th)

RBI: 123 (5th)

Runs: 134 (2nd)

Slug Pct.: .588 (3rd)

On Base Pct.: .384 (7th)

--Researched by HOUSTON MITCHELL

Top Salaries

Contracts with average annual values of $10 million or more. Doesn’t include potential incentive bonuses. No distinction for money deferred without interest:

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Player, Club Years Salary Kevin Brown, L.A. 1999-05 $15.0 Shawn Green, L.A. 2000-05 $14.0 Mo Vaughn, Ana. 1999-04 $13.3 Randy Johnson, Ari. 1999-02 $13.1 Mike Piazza, NYM 1999-05 $13.0 Albert Belle, Bal. 1999-03 $13.0 Pedro Martinez, Bos. 1998-03 $12.5 Bernie Williams, NYY 1999-05 $12.5 Larry Walker, Col. 2000-05 $12.5 Greg Maddux, Atl. 1998-02 $11.5 Barry Bonds, S.F. 1999-00 $11.45 Gary Sheffield, L.A. 1998-03 $11.42 Sammy Sosa, Cubs 1998-01 $10.63 Raul Mondesi, Tor. 1998-03 $10.0

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