There Might Be Unpopular Decision in Karros’ Future : Dodgers: First baseman has the statistics, but his contract runs out next season and Malone isn’t giving extensions.

Eric Karros has defied the odds again, reaching the finish line of another season at Chavez Ravine.

With him, that’s always in doubt.

Many figured the longtime Dodger first baseman would be playing elsewhere by now--Karros included. However, the Dodgers will be entering another off-season with Karros still on board.

And he isn’t only hanging around. Karros is on the verge of establishing career highs offensively while moving closer to becoming the franchise’s all-time Los Angeles leader in home runs.

Karros didn’t play Wednesday night during the Dodgers’ 5-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.

He is a crowd favorite at Dodger Stadium, receiving the loudest ovation when his name is announced in the opening lineup.

Not bad for a guy seemingly being pushed out the door every season, but Karros’ successful run may end soon. Karros’ contract expires after the 2000 season, and team management has a no-extension policy at the moment.

He is expected to return next season, but then what? Karros’ future with the club is in doubt more than ever, although Dodger decision-makers constantly praise him. Go figure.

“You hear people say things about what type of player E.K. is, about some of the things he doesn’t do well, but E.K. has been fantastic for me,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “I wasn’t here in the past, so I don’t know what went on or what anyone else [in the former regime] thought. But I don’t see how you can argue with what E.K. has done this year. Just look at the numbers.”

They look good.

Karros has batted .294 in 143 games, ranking third among Dodger regulars. He leads the team with 33 homers, 39 doubles and 108 runs batted in.

His only better batting averages were .298 in 1995 and .296 last season. Karros set personal bests with 34 homers and 111 RBIs in ’96.

He has been hot in his last seven games, batting .611 (11 for 18). Karros drove in four runs and had the ninth-inning, game-winning hit Monday during the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory over the Giants.

He hit a three-run homer in a 9-4 victory Tuesday, giving him seven RBIs in the first two games against San Francisco.

Karros has hit at least 30 homers four times in his eight-plus seasons with the Dodgers, and he has 210 in his career. Ron Cey holds the Los Angeles record with 228.

Beginning play Wednesday, Karros had more homers than every regular NL first baseman except Mark McGwire, Jeff Bagwell and Todd Helton. He had more RBIs than all but McGwire and Bagwell.

“I think I’ve proven that, if I’m healthy, I’m a productive player,” said Karros, the 1992 NL rookie of the year. “I prepare myself each season to do the best job I can, and that’s all you can control.”

General Manager Kevin Malone is impressed--though not enough to offer an extension at this point.

“He’s Mr. Consistency,” Malone said. “Thirty-plus homers and 100-plus RBIs. You can pencil Eric in for that, but, at this point, the organization is not interested in making any contract extensions with any players. Part of what we’re trying to do here is create flexibility. Part of the problem we have is limited flexibility.

“Our hands, to some degree, are already tied. I’m not going to tie them any tighter, but that’s no reflection on Eric. Eric knows my appreciation for him and my respect for him. It’s not about Eric Karros, it’s about what is in the best interest of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and we can’t limit and constrict ourselves any more than we are right now.”

It’s true that Malone inherited many difficult-to-move contracts from his predecessor, Fred Claire. However, Malone also contributed to the hand-tying.

During the previous off-season, Malone spent $167.3 million on acquiring free agents and retaining players already on the roster.

Pitcher Carlos Perez was among the group. He was given a three-year, $15.6-million deal although he wasn’t eligible for free agency.

Karros, who will make $5 million next season, declined to discuss his contract situation. His agent spoke on his behalf.

“It’s not particularly bothersome to us that the organization is not willing to go forward with discussions at this time,” said Karros’ agent, Jeff Moorad. “But E.K. has always made it clear that Los Angeles is the place he wants to play for his entire career.

“Given that, and with his performance, it would be of major concern to us if this issue went unaddressed in the off-season.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Career Year

How Dodger first baseman Eric Karros has performed this season compared to his average over the last seven seasons.

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Category 1999 Avg. Average .294 .268 Doubles 39 26 Home Runs 33 25 RBIs 108 89 Runs 69 71 Slugging Percentage .551 .460

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