Dreifort Becomes a Hotter Commodity

Concerned about retaining Darren Dreifort and keeping their payroll in the $100-million range, the Dodgers said Friday they won’t sign catcher Charles Johnson or pursue other top-tier free agents, but catcher Sandy Alomar has moved up their list.

Agent Scott Boras, who represents Dreifort and Johnson, confirmed that he and Chairman Bob Daly talked about Johnson before the winter meetings began here.

Boras intimated that the former Dodger catcher would have been willing to accept less than the $10-million average salary he is seeking in order to rejoin the club.

However, Daly apparently considers Johnson--a four-time Gold Glove Award winner--a luxury the Dodgers can’t afford, in part because of pressure to sign Dreifort.

Competition to sign the 28-year-old pitcher intensified Friday when the Colorado Rockies signed left-hander Mike Hampton to an eight-year, $121-million deal.

Dreifort is considered the best starter remaining in a pitching-thin market, and the Dodgers acknowledge the race has tightened.

“[The Hampton signing] added pressure because Darren is now the best free agent available,” General Manager Kevin Malone said. “It increases competition to get Darren.

“I wish our budget would have allowed us the flexibility to make that type of commitment [to Hampton]. Because of our budget restrictions we just hope to be able to sign Darren.”

But the Dodgers also want to acquire another catcher because of their commitment to pitching, having Wednesday agreed to a three-year, $22.5-million deal with right-hander Andy Ashby.

Malone has been aggressively pursuing Alomar recently, hoping to lure the six-time all-star to Chavez Ravine.

Alomar has been slowed by knee and back injuries in 10-plus seasons with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians, but the Dodgers believe he could still be effective in the right situation.

The Dodgers didn’t finalize any deals on the first day of the meetings, but they made their intentions clearer.

“We’re making progress on Darren and I’m optimistic that we can get it done before the end of these winter meetings,” Malone said. “There are some issues we need to get resolved and we’re talking to see if we can.”

Daly, who remained in Los Angeles, has been handling negotiations with Boras, trying to complete a five-year contract.

The Dodgers have offered $45 million and Dreifort is seeking $55 million. Sources said the Dodgers are resigned to meeting Dreifort’s price because other teams might offer at least as much.

The Rockies have committed $172.5 million to Hampton and left-hander Denny Neagle and are trying to add Dreifort to their rotation. The St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox also are pursuing the Dodgers’ No. 3 starter.

Joked Boras: “Anyone betting on the Colorado trifecta?”

Daly and Boras are scheduled to speak Sunday and finalize a contract, sources said, but Dreifort is on many most-wanted lists.

Malone said Johnson isn’t on the Dodgers’ list.

The Dodgers have committed $82.625 million to 16 players for next season--not including Dreifort and arbitration-eligible pitcher Chan Ho Park.

Tired of industry criticism, the Dodgers are determined to keep their payroll between $100 million to $105 million, sources said.

“We have a lot of respect for Charles Johnson,” Malone said, “but because of our financial restraints and budgetary limitations, we’re focused on pitching.

“We have a lot of confidence in our catchers. Chad Kreuter is a proven veteran and Paul LoDuca and Angel Pena are young guys ready to contribute. Maybe we might add someone else, but we feel good about our catchers.”

Kreuter and LoDuca are expected to share the job. Kreuter would work primarily with Dreifort and Park and LoDuca with Ashby, Kevin Brown and Eric Gagne.

Unless Alomar joins the club.

Alomar’s agent, John Boggs, confirmed that the Dodgers are one of six teams trying to sign Alomar, who made $2.7 million last season and is believed to be seeking a three-year, $10-million deal.

Boggs said the Dodgers appeal to Alomar because of their seemingly formidable rotation.

“I had a conversation with Kevin Malone about a week ago, and Kevin talked to Sandy personally to see if Sandy is interested in being a Dodger,” Boggs said. “The Dodgers would be a nice organization for Sandy, and he’s definitely interested in working with their pitching staff.”

Alomar played in 97 games last season, batting .289 with seven homers and 42 runs batted in. He threw out 23.5% of baserunners.

Boggs said injuries weren’t a problem for Alomar in 2000.

“The injury thing is a bit of a misnomer,” Boggs said. “Sandy didn’t miss a single game last season because of a knee or back injury. He’s in great shape and he wants to keep playing.

“This could be his last contract, so he wants to play for an organization that’s a good fit. We’re still early in the process, but that doesn’t mean anything. We could leave the meetings with a deal.”