Park’s Performances Set Stage for Negotiations

Right-hander Chan Ho Park’s value keeps rising.

He pitched 16 scoreless innings last week--giving up only eight hits and striking out 21--in Dodger victories over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

The team leader in victories, Park improved to 17-10 with a 3.40 earned-run average after a 1-0 victory Sunday over San Diego at Dodger Stadium. He gave up two hits and struck out 13.

“Chan Ho is back to where he was in ’97 when he was in the process of becoming one of the best pitchers in the game,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “The way he’s been throwing just shows you what he’s capable of and what his future can be for this club.”

But will Park be a Dodger much longer?

He can become a free agent after the 2001 season, putting pressure on the Dodgers to persuade Park and his agent, Scott Boras, to agree to a multiyear extension this off-season.

Boras typically tests the market with players of Park’s stature, and sources said teams have already informed Boras they want Park.

Park, 27, is 8-4 with a 2.44 ERA since the All-Star break, has established a career high with 204 strikeouts and is pitching with the confidence of a No. 1 starter.

Boras is expected to compare Park to left-hander Mike Hampton of the New York Mets, eligible for free agency after the season, in contract discussions with the Dodgers.

The pitchers have comparable career statistics, and Hampton has already rejected $12 million a season. Park, making $4.25 million, will at least double his salary.

Many believe the commissioner’s office will urge the Dodgers to take Park to arbitration because the club might adversely affect the five-year player salary structure if Park is rewarded with a long-term deal before he becomes a free agent.

But that strategy could be risky for the Dodgers because they want to keep Boras and Park happy--in that order.

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Leadoff batter Tom Goodwin has struggled on offense since he was reacquired from the Colorado Rockies, batting only .251 with a .310 on-base percentage.

But Goodwin has played well in center field and been a positive force in an organization that has few.

“Goody has the speed to catch up to a lot of balls,” Karros said, “and there’s no better guy in the clubhouse.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 tonight and Wednesday, Channel 5 Thursday.

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

* Records--Dodgers 83-73, Giants 93-63.

* Record vs. Giants--6-3.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(11-8, 4.33 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

RUSS ORTIZ

(13-11, 4.85 ERA)

* Update--The Giants have clinched the National League West championship, and the second-place Dodgers are on the verge of elimination from playoff contention. One more New York Met victory or Dodger loss ends their wild-card hopes. Dreifort is 7-1 with a 3.35 ERA in the second half and has struck out 80 in 80 2/3 innings with only 39 walks. The right-hander needs 1 2/3 innings to set a single-season personal best. Ortiz is 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts this month after going 6-0 with a 1.12 ERA in six outings in August. Ortiz is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA against the Dodgers this season.

* Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Luke Prokopec (1-0, 1.69) vs. Kirk Rueter (10-9, 4.12).

* Thursday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Brown (13-6, 2.56) vs. Shawn Estes (15-6, 4.28).

* Tickets--(323) 224-1448.