Talk, Little Else, in Beltre Case

Dodger Chairman Bob Daly said he wants to “remove the cloud” of the Adrian Beltre matter, and agent Scott Boras also is eager to resolve the situation, but negotiating a contract for Beltre is unlike any process they have encountered.

And unless something changes soon, Daly and Boras might be on a course that could damage the Dodgers and Beltre long-term. Daly and Boras spoke during the weekend and are expected to resume negotiations Monday.

The crux of the impasse isn’t only money, though Daly and Boras weren’t close on that front Saturday. Although the sides won’t reveal proposed contract terms, it appears the deal being discussed is less than $10 million.

The Dodgers are prepared to offer Beltre a three-year, multimillion-dollar package to persuade the third baseman to end his four-mouth pursuit of free agency because the team violated major league rules in signing Beltre before his 16th birthday. The Major League Players Assn. has filed a grievance on behalf of Beltre.

The hurdle to avoiding arbitration--which could irreparably damage Beltre’s relationship with the Dodgers--is that Daly inherited a mess that has adversely affected negotiations. The Dodgers are under fire from major league officials for the seven-year, $105-million contract Boras negotiated for Dodger pitcher Kevin Brown in 1998.

That signing, as well as other deals considered questionable, made the Dodgers a target on an unprecedented level. Now, player-personnel officials from other teams acknowledge pressure has been applied on the Dodgers to toe the financial line with Beltre.

Of course, setting Beltre’s market value is difficult because players with one full season in the major leagues typically don’t receive multimillion-dollar contracts. And Beltre is only 20, making Daly cautious about rewarding him despite indications that Beltre could become a franchise-type player based on his performance last season.

Daly has consulted General Manager Kevin Malone about the negotiations, but Malone isn’t actively involved. Malone negotiated the Brown deal with Boras, and it’s best for the Dodgers if Malone keeps a low profile regarding Beltre because of the industry-wide feelings about Brown’s contract.

Sam Fernandez, team counsel, is advising Daly. Fernandez knows what the Player Relations Committee expects, and he’s trying to get that accomplished.

Beltre is playing in Grapefruit League games without a contract. Players must be signed by March 11 under major league rules, and the Dodgers will renew Beltre’s contract--probably at about $350,000--by the deadline unless an agreement is reached.

If that occurs, the Dodgers and Beltre are headed to arbitration--and an even bigger mess.

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Right-hander Orel Hershiser made his first appearance Saturday in his second stint with the Dodgers, pitching two innings in a 7-3 loss to the New York Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Hershiser, who pitched for the Mets last season, gave up third-inning home runs to Rey Ordonez and Edgardo Alfonzo.

“I was just trying to get my legs,” said Hershiser, 13-12 with a 4.58 earned-run average in 1999.

“I threw all fastballs. I was throwing glorified BP [batting practice]. I was just trying to bring myself along and be ready for opening day.”

Said Manager Davey Johnson: “Orel knows what day it is.”

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Closer Jeff Shaw struck out country superstar Garth Brooks, his favorite musician, in the seventh inning. Brooks is playing with the Mets to raise money for his charitable foundation.

“I was telling Julie [his wife] in the morning that it would be tough if I had to face him,” Shaw said. “Then he comes up there and I’m like, ‘Oh, my God!’ It was a thrill to face him.”

Brooks struck out on a 2-and-2 fastball. Shaw received an autographed baseball from Brooks after the game.