Dodgers Don’t Mess Around

Arbitration is a dirty word at Dodger Stadium. How else do you explain the Dodgers’ dealings Tuesday, the first day players and teams could exchange figures for arbitration purposes?

The Dodgers signed their five arbitration-eligible players--infielders Mark Grudzielanek and Kevin Orie and pitchers Chan Ho Park, Dan Naulty and Terry Adams.

Plus, the Dodgers have signed veteran catcher Chad Kreuter to a minor league contract and he will be invited to spring training, according to industry sources.

“We just feel blessed that we were able to reach agreements and avoid the [arbitration] process,” General Manager Kevin Malone said. “Arbitration can be and often is a distraction for the players. But now that’s all resolved and our focus is on getting to spring training and trying to be a winning team.”

Grudzielanek, 29, signed a four-year deal, with a club option for a fifth season, worth a guaranteed $18 million.

“The commitment the Dodgers have shown me means the world to me,” Grudzielanek said from his off-season home in Florida. “With the positive changes Mr. [Bob] Daly [the Dodgers’ new CEO] is making, we’re going to win. It’s only a matter of time because he’s committed to getting the players we need and players who want to be part of this organization.”

Grudzielanek will earn $3 million this year; $4 million in 2001; $5 million in 2002; and $5.5 million in 2003. He will earn $6 million if the Dodgers pick up the option for 2004, or receive a $500,000 buyout.

Grudzielanek, who joined the Dodgers as part of a seven-player trade with the Montreal Expos on July 31, 1998, batted .326 with seven home runs and 46 runs batted in last year in 123 games. His batting average, which tied for fifth in the National League, was the highest by a National League shortstop since Arky Vaughan of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit .335 in 1936.

Defensively, Grudzielanek’s .974 fielding percentage ranked fifth in the league. With the trade of Eric Young to the Chicago Cubs, Grudzielanek is expected to move to second base this season, however, with Alex Cora taking over at shortstop. There is also speculation about the Dodgers pursuing Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners.

Park, meanwhile, nearly doubled his salary after having a career-high earned-run average of 5.23 while going 13-11 last season.

Park, who made $2.3 million in 1999 and recently hired agent Scott Boras, signed a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $3.85 million that could grow to $4.25 million with some readily attainable performance bonuses.

He will get $50,000 for reaching 190 innings, and $50,000 for each five innings up to 205. Park pitched 194 innings last year and worked 220 in 1998.

Plus, he will earn $50,000 for making 30 starts, and $50,000 for each start up to 33. Park, 26, started 33 times last year and had 34 starts in 1998.

Orie, Naulty and Adams also signed one-year contracts.

Kreuter, 35, who is expected to battle Paul LoDuca for the backup catcher spot behind Todd Hundley, batted .225 with five homers and 35 RBIs in 107 games with the Kansas City Royals last season.