Ripe for Change?

The Dodgers returned to the drawing board after producing another Fox-funded clunker, scrapping the previous model because of major design flaws.

Team officials acknowledged the parts didn’t fit--then moved to correct their player-personnel mistakes with an off-season overhaul. The project was sweeping and costly, though that’s nothing new during the Fox era.

The roster has been in flux since Rupert Murdoch added the Dodgers to his corporate holdings, making the once-admired franchise the laughingstock of the game. Success would be a twist after two seasons of unpopular trades, firings and other public-relations missteps.

There’s a new franchise player, the bullpen appears improved and the bench might present more options. But there are more storm warnings.

Potential problems loom in the outfield, infield and starting rotation despite an opening-day payroll projected at about $90 million. Third baseman Adrian Beltre is still pursuing free agency, stirring concern about that position and the batting order.

Dodger decision-makers hope the newcomers provide a much-needed boost because life hasn’t been fun around Chavez Ravine since Peter O’Malley packed his bags. The Dodgers believe they’ve finally developed a winning plan, saying things should be different this time.

For what it’s worth, the Dodgers said that before last season too. That team finished 77-85.

What’s certain is that the Dodgers are eager to regain credibility. Whether their effort is enough, and their plan is wise, remains to be determined.

Pitchers and catchers report to Dodgertown on Thursday, and the Dodgers start their third season under Fox with their fingers crossed.

“The big thing for us is that we focused on building around individual players last year, and we learned from that,” said General Manager Kevin Malone, under fire from fans for most of his moves. “We learned that the focus has to be on the team. It’s all about teamwork, team play and team attitude.

“It’s not about one player, two players, five or eight players. It’s about 25 players, the manager and the coaches all focusing on the team. It’s about what we can do as a team to win more games and be more consistent. We really wanted to establish a plan that would help us improve around the team concept, and we feel we were able to do that with the input of [Manager] Davey [Johnson] and his staff and because of the support of [new managing partner] Bob Daly.”

Acquiring left-handed slugger Shawn Green was the centerpiece of the Dodgers’ latest plan.

Lack of offensive balance was among Johnson’s primary complaints about the roster last season. Green, who emerged as an all-star with the Toronto Blue Jays, was the top player on the Dodgers’ list to help correct that flaw, and the Dodgers were the first team on Green’s list.

Green, a former Tustin High standout, was traded to the Dodgers Nov. 8 in a four-player deal that sent Raul Mondesi to the Blue Jays. Green was given a six-year, $84-million deal, and his new bosses hope his arrival signals the start of better times.

“Nothing against Mondesi, but he was uncomfortable being here,” Johnson said. “This worked out in our best interest because I wanted a left-handed bat in the middle of our lineup, and this was the guy I really wanted.”

Malone also provided what Johnson wanted in the bullpen and bench areas. Johnson often felt handcuffed by what he considered substandard relievers and reserves.

The Dodgers spent freely to upgrade their bullpen, acquiring several veterans expected to hold leads for dependable closer Jeff Shaw. Orel Hershiser, a driving force during the Dodgers’ stirring 1988 World Series title run, returns to work among the new group before probably becoming the pitching coach next season.

Versatile outfielder/infielder F.P. Santangelo was signed to provide versatility. There’s seemingly more depth at third with the arrival of Kevin Orie, unless an arbitrator sides with Beltre later this month and he leaves as a free agent.

“Bullpen and bench, bullpen and bench. How many times did I say it last year?” said Johnson, also more comfortable with the team’s potential reinforcements at triple-A Albuquerque. “If you don’t have a bullpen and a bench, you’re not going to win, it’s as simple as that.

“And you’ve got to have a ‘go-to place.’ You have to have a Plan B and Plan C, and we didn’t have those plans last year. Kevin did a great job of getting that for us.”

But not all the mistakes were as quickly correctable.

Team officials are extremely disappointed with center fielder Devon White. Todd Hollandsworth and Santangelo will compete with White, and the Dodgers hope Hollandsworth earns the job.

This is a stunning development considering White is guaranteed $12.4 million under the three-year contract he signed during the previous off-season. White--still owed $9.9 million--is a proud veteran who has been one of the top center fielders of his era, and he could become a problem if he feels insulted.

Mark Grudzielanek is learning on the job at second base after finally becoming comfortable at shortstop. With Grudzielanek changing positions, the shortstop situation is muddled.

And then there’s Carlos Perez.

Perez was 2-10 with a 7.43 earned-run average before being demoted to Albuquerque. But barring injury, he will be in the rotation because he’s owed $5 million this season and $7.5 million in 2001.

“There are still some things I would like to do, and we have to look at some situations, but we’ve positioned ourselves with a good chance of winning,” Johnson said. “We took what we had, we made good changes, and now we’re going to roll it out and take a look at it.”

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SCHEDULE

Thursday: First day for pitchers, catchers and injured players to report.

Feb. 23: First day for other players to report.

March 1: Mandatory reporting date for all players.

March 3: First Grapefruit League game, vs. Houston

April 3: First regular-season game, at Montreal

April 14: First home game, vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m.