Sheffield Says Team Is Far From Pennant-Ready

Left fielder Gary Sheffield has been frustrated because of the Dodgers’ poor play in another disappointing season.

Team officials believe the Dodgers underachieved, expecting more because of a $98-million payroll.

But Sheffield said it’s not that simple.

“There were a lot of question marks going into the season,” he said. “I wouldn’t say we’re close [to winning a championship] because there are still a lot of question marks, and you can’t have question marks when you’re trying to win a pennant.”

The Dodgers had concerns about the rotation, bullpen and leadoff situation beginning the season.

Those issues are still unresolved.

“If you’re trying to win, and you have question marks at the trade deadline, then you fix those questions marks and go from there,” Sheffield said. “You don’t stamp your team in spring training, put all your marbles in one basket and say, ‘This is the team I’m going with, we’re going to win.’

“You have to have a backup plan, which most teams have, so that you can make changes if your plan isn’t working.”

General Manager Kevin Malone has said he did the best he could, considering the club’s prospect limitations.

That put pressure on Sheffield and others to deliver, and Sheffield has done his part, establishing a Los Angeles franchise record with 41 home runs.

But many veterans have struggled, including right fielder Shawn Green.

“We never envisioned Greenie struggling,” Sheffield said. “But the other players around him have to pick him up, and that hasn’t happened.

“You can’t look at superstars and assume things are going to happen just because of how much money you pay someone. They’re human, and things happen in this game. It’s a humbling game.”

Sheffield said too many players have bad attitudes.

“[Management] is going to have to address that because you can’t win with selfish players, that’s the bottom line,” Sheffield said. “If a guy is only concerned about himself, you can’t accomplish team goals.

“There are just a lot of areas that need to be looked at. I can’t sit here . . . I’d be lying if I said that there isn’t cause for concern.”

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Left-hander Carlos Perez will undergo surgery Thursday to remove a bone spur on the back of his pitching shoulder.

Team physician Frank Jobe will perform the procedure at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood.

The Dodgers hope that Perez, expected to begin rehabilitating in December, will be ready to start spring training.

Perez, making $5 million this season, finished 5-8 with a 5.56 earned-run average. He is guaranteed $7.5 million in 2001.

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Pitchers Eric Gagne and Jeff Williams are expected to be recalled after triple-A Albuquerque is eliminated from the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Arizona Diamondbacks, three games.

* Site--Bank One Ballpark.

* Tonight--6:30.

* TV--Channel 5 today and Tuesday; Fox Sports Net 2 on Wednesday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 74-69, Diamondbacks 76-65.

* Record vs. Diamondbacks--2-5.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES (2-7, 5.64 ERA) vs. DIAMONDBACKS’ ARMANDO REYNOSO (10-10, 5.25 ERA)

* Update--Arizona has struggled to remain in contention in the National League West despite acquiring hard-throwing right-hander Curt Schilling before the trade deadline. There are problems in the clubhouse, and Manager Buck Showalter is on the hot seat. Valdes, appealing a six-game suspension for hitting Mark Grace of the Chicago Cubs with a pitch, is 0-3 with a 6.08 ERA since rejoining the Dodgers.

* Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.--Luke Prokopec (0-0, 0.00) vs. Curt Schilling (10-11, 3.94).

* Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Brown (12-6, 2.72) vs. Brian Anderson (10-5, 4.31).