Park’s Gamble Figures to Pay Off

Chan Ho Park sought advice from agent Scott Boras last season after the Dodgers offered Park a four-year, $40-million contract.

Boras did not represent Park at the time, but Park wanted Boras’ opinion because he had doubted himself during a difficult season.

Boras urged Park to be patient, convincing him that his problems could be overcome with the right help.

Park rejected the Dodgers’ proposal, hired Boras as his agent and it appears his gamble has paid off.

The right-hander has reverted to form with the help of catcher Chad Kreuter, whose guidance has boosted Park’s confidence.

Park, 27, can become a free agent after the 2001 season and the Dodgers are eager to reach a multiyear agreement with him in the off-season.

Boras persuaded Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone to give pitcher Kevin Brown, then 33, a seven-year, $105-million contract.

The Dodgers gave Brown his record-setting package after he had pitched 10-plus seasons, and Brown had been established as one of the majors’ top starters.

But it will take much more than four years and $40 million for the Dodgers to re-sign Park now.

After his performance to this point, the Dodgers might have to offer Park a seven- to eight-year package in the $90-million range to keep him off the market.

Park is 15-8 with a 3.45 earned-run average and 172 strikeouts after another dominant outing in Sunday’s 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

He worked eight scoreless innings, improving to 6-2 with a 2.20 ERA since the all-star break.

During that span, Park has given up only 20 hits and struck out 65 in 69 2/3 innings.

“He’s throwing like a No. 1 [starter],” Manager Davey Johnson said of Park, who has a 1.40 ERA in his last six starts. “He’s focused and relaxed out there, and everything he’s throwing is free and easy.

“Obviously, the hitters feel the same way because they look like they have no chance up there [at the plate]. He’s been special.”

And he’s going to be expensive.

*

The Dodgers want to acquire Pittsburgh Pirate catcher Jason Kendall in the off-season, baseball sources said.

Team officials plan to pursue Kendall--a Torrance High graduate and Manhattan Beach resident--because catcher Todd Hundley can become a free agent after the season.

Kendall, eligible for free agency after next season, rejected the Pirates’ six-year, $60-million extension offer because about 50% of the money would have been deferred.

The Pirates are expected to trade Kendall, who is making $2.2 million this season, because of his contract situation.

The Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres are among the teams most interested in the three-time all-star.

The Dodgers are expected to offer triple-A catcher Angel Pena and pitcher Mike Judd for Kendall.

Although Kendall doesn’t have enough service time to reject a trade, sources said the Pirates might try to accommodate Kendall.

Kendall would sign a multiyear contract with the Dodgers. Malone and Kendall’s agent, Dan Lozano, are friends.

*

Shortstop Kevin Elster, on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring, is expected to be activated today. Elster is batting .225 with 12 home runs and 29 runs batted in. . . . Park isn’t the only pitcher who has performed better with Kreuter as his batterymate. In 19 starts teamed with Hundley, Darren Dreifort is 6-4 with a 4.87 ERA. In six starts with Kreuter, Dreifort is 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA. . . . Right-hander Luke Prokopec pitched three scoreless innings in his major league debut.

TODAY

DODGERS’

CARLOS PEREZ

(5-7, 5.39 ERA)

vs.

PIRATES’

JOSE SILVA

(8-9, 5.58 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Perez was pounded Aug. 31 in the Milwaukee Brewers’ 8-2 victory at County Stadium. The left-hander gave up seven hits and was charged with six runs--five earned--in two-plus innings. Silva has given up 52 earned runs in his last 68 1/3 innings. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 11.37 ERA in his career against the Dodgers.