Dreifort Goes From Expendable to Untouchable

Darren Dreifort was on his way out.

Frustrated Dodger officials pushed Chairman Bob Daly to trade the struggling pitcher in June, stressing that potential doesn’t win games.

Daly strongly considered recommendations but decided to retain Dreifort, believing that the talented right-hander would justify his support.

Daly chose wisely.

Dreifort has been one of the club’s top starters in the second half, performing at a level some doubted he could.

He has been consistent and durable, establishing a personal best with 30 starts and providing quality innings.

The guy some wanted to dump only three months ago is now considered the key to the organization’s off-season plan.

Daly is intent on re-signing the hard thrower, who can become a free agent, because of his accomplishments and potential.

Losing the No. 3 starter would force the Dodgers to reassess bolstering the rotation because the group would not be as strong without Dreifort, players said.

“How important is he? We can’t afford to lose him--that’s how important he is,” said catcher Chad Kreuter of Dreifort, revered in the clubhouse because of his selfless attitude and toughness. “We saw what it was like not having [effective] fourth and fifth starters most of the season, everyone knows how much that hurt us, so we definitely can’t lose someone like Dreif.

“He’s our No. 2 or 3 starter, whatever you want to consider him, and there aren’t a lot of guys out there with his ability. He has one of the best arms in the game, and at times this season he’s been one of the best pitchers.”

Especially after the All-Star break.

Dreifort is 7-1 with a 3.35 earned-run average in the second half. He has struck out 80 in 80 2/3 innings with only 39 walks.

Overall, Dreifort is 11-8 with a 4.33 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 178 2/3 innings. With two more scheduled starts, Dreifort needs only 1 2/3 innings to set a single-season career high.

Dreifort--whose fastball has been clocked at 97 mph--was dominant in a six-start winning streak from July 17 through Aug. 13.

He had a 2.56 ERA and limited opponents to a .210 batting average after Daly put his foot down and refused to trade Dreifort.

How good has Dreifort been?

“Guys talk about how ‘filthy’ his stuff is, and if they get down to first they have no idea how they got there,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “Put it this way, as far as guys on our staff, Dreif is the last guy anyone wants to face. That includes [Kevin Brown] and Chan Ho [Park], and that’s saying something.

“That’s not coming from me, that’s coming from guys who have faced Dreif. I’ve never faced Dreif, and to be honest about it, I won’t be disappointed if I never do.”

Dreifort and Park struggled last season while working with catcher Todd Hundley, who was recovering from right elbow surgery and should not have been playing.

But Dreifort finished strong, winning five of his last seven starts with a 1.41 ERA, going 13-13 with a 4.79 ERA.

Still, some wanted Dreifort to relieve because of concerns about his reconstructed right elbow.

That faction gained supporters while Dreifort was 1-6 with a 7.03 ERA in 10 starts from May 17 through July 5.

Players said Dreifort suffered an injury while sliding May 17 against the Chicago Cubs, affecting his performance. Dreifort doesn’t make excuses.

“Some days you beat the devil,” Dreifort said, “some days the devil beats you.”

Cub Manager Don Baylor, apparently disregarding tampering rules, has openly discussed signing Dreifort, 28, and the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals also plan to aggressively pursue him.

Dreifort, making $3.7 million, is expected to earn $9 million or more per season in his next contract.

Daly and Dreifort’s agent, Scott Boras, have a good relationship. However, Boras doesn’t give discounts, meaning there is no guarantee Dreifort will pitch for the Dodgers next season.

“If he continues to pitch like he has been, he’s going to be right up there with Brownie, [Greg] Maddux and [Randy] Johnson,” Kreuter said. “No doubt about it.”