It’s No Secret: Agent Was Key to Deal

Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone figured that trading Raul Mondesi and acquiring Shawn Green would be difficult.

Malone knew the Toronto Blue Jays would expect much for Green, and persuading the all-star right fielder to agree to a multiyear contract extension seemingly wouldn’t be easy. And although several teams expressed interest in Mondesi, his tirade at management last season didn’t enhance his trade value.

But Malone moved forward because of his strong relationship with Jeff Moorad, who represents Mondesi and Green, and the support of new Dodger Chairman Robert Daly.

The Dodgers got Green and got rid of Mondesi on Monday, swapping the outfielders in a deal that also sent pitcher Pedro Borbon to Toronto and middle infield prospect Jorge Nunez to Los Angeles.

Green signed a six-year, $84-million contract that includes a no-trade clause and the usual performance bonuses included in today’s record-setting packages. The Blue Jays exercised the two option years in Mondesi’s contract, guaranteeing $24 million to improve his mood.

Moorad and Daly brokered the deal that boosted Dodger morale, and it occurred because of savvy negotiators who understood how to make things happen.

“You have to understand that there are so many dynamics to deals like this,” Malone said. “There are so many things that have to go just right, it’s usually impossible to get everything aligned. That’s why trades of this magnitude don’t happen often.

“We had a situation where we targeted Shawn early on. He was the No. 1 guy on our list, and Mondy no longer wanted to be here.

“Even though a trade [involving Green and Mondesi] looks good now, I knew from my experience at this that we had our work cut out. There were a lot of people who helped make this happen, but Mr. Daly and Jeff were right there the whole way. They each had a role to play to make this work, and they each did their parts real well.”

Daly was a longtime deal-maker in Hollywood, negotiating with “A-list” movie stars while running Warner Bros. He faced off with some of the biggest names in entertainment for 20 years, becoming battle-tested along the way.

Those familiar with his style said Daly stays cool under pressure and doesn’t take business personally, helping him remain focused. But they also said Daly is always prepared to walk away from a negotiation, refusing to succumb to pressure.

“He was great,” Moorad said of Daly. “He made it clear from the beginning that he wanted to get a deal done, and he worked hard to accomplish that.”

No one worked harder than Moorad, industry sources said.

Moorad and Malone declined to discuss specifics of the process that began during the final week of the regular season, but sources said Moorad prevented the deal from collapsing on several occasions.

When Green decided in September he wanted to play for the Dodgers, Moorad quickly began laying the groundwork. When Mondesi reaffirmed his desire to play for almost any team except the Dodgers, Moorad put the wheels in motion to get Mondesi out of town.

And when Malone and Toronto General Manager Gord Ash reached an impasse, Moorad found alternative routes.

“Jeff is a guy you can trust, and you know what he says is legitimate because of his history,” Malone said. “You know Jeff is going to try to do what’s best for his client, but you also know he’ll work with you to try and find a good fit.”

Ash agreed.

“You’re going to run into things that you need to work through in a deal like this, it just doesn’t happen [overnight],” Ash said. “Moorad knows how to do that. Moorad certainly was a facilitator.”

Moorad also played an instrumental role in Matt Williams’ trade by the Cleveland Indians to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1997. The Diamondbacks were the only team on the all-star third baseman’s list, and Moorad helped an unhappy client that time too.

Cleveland General Manager John Hart worked with Moorad on that deal--and left the encounter impressed.

“Players have so many options in our business right now, you want to deal with [agents] who are going to give you straight answers and work with you,” Hart said. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Jeff because he’s a very professional guy, and he knows what it really means to work with you during sometimes difficult situations. That’s very important.”

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Dodger pinch-hitter Dave Hansen has agreed to a one-year, $475,000 contract, sources said.

Hansen, the Dodgers’ top left-handed pinch hitter, made $450,000 in 1999. The Dodgers held a club option for $675,000 in 2000, which they recently bought out for $50,000.

Hansen, who turns 31 on Nov. 24, batted .271 (13 for 48) with one home run and eight runs batted in. He can make as much as $75,000 in performance incentives next season.

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Scott Boras, the agent for pitcher Darren Dreifort, wants team officials to commit to keeping the right-hander in the starting rotation.

Boras spoke with Manager Davey Johnson about Dreifort’s role at the general managers’ meetings at Dana Point.

Boras intimated that the five-year veteran, eligible for free agency after next season, might not remain with the Dodgers much longer if he’s forced to work in relief. Several teams covet Dreifort as a starter.