Dodgers Extend Tracy’s Contract

The Dodgers extended the contract of Jim Tracy through 2004 on Monday, rewarding the runner-up for National League manager of the year.

The club announced the expected move in a conference call with reporters, exercising the two options in Tracy’s four-year deal. Only the 2001 and ’02 seasons had been guaranteed, but Chairman Bob Daly decided during last season to reward the person he chose to lead the team.

“The thing that I think is so special about this organization is the reestablishment of the stability that this organization is striving for,” Tracy said. “The fact of knowing that there is no uncertainty, from the management end of things, puts everybody in a very positive frame of mind. And in a very good direction heading into spring training.”

Some in the organization had doubts about Tracy, the team’s former bench coach, succeeding in the high-pressure role. However, he provided stability while shuffling the rotation and lineup because of injuries.

The Dodgers (86-76) finished third in the NL West despite baseball’s second-highest payroll at about $120 million, but they remained in contention longer than many expected. Players praised Tracy’s leadership.

“You couldn’t put a first-year manager in a more difficult situation than he was in, with all the injuries and the stuff that went on in spring training,” right fielder Shawn Green said during the season. “There has been more turmoil this year, and he’s been able to keep things under control. He’s done a tremendous job.”

The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves are the clubs most interested in acquiring Gary Sheffield and plan to pursue the Dodger left fielder at baseball’s winter meetings, sources said.

Although General Manager Dan Evans said he is not trying to trade Sheffield, executives from other teams said the Dodgers are open to proposals for the six-time all-star.

Many clubs said they plan to meet with Evans at the meetings, beginning Sunday at Boston, and the Mets and Braves are competing for a player they believe could help shift the balance of power in the NL East.

The Mets and Braves are on Sheffield’s no-trade list. However, he might consider removing them because he would prefer to join a contending club if the Dodgers don’t want him.

“Winning is the reason you play this game,” Sheffield said in a recent interview. “I got a ring in Florida [as part of the Marlins’ 1997 World Series title team], but I want another one. I want to have that feeling again; that’s the greatest thing that can happen to you in this game.”

Could he experience that feeling with the Dodgers?

“Like I said before, the Dodgers know I want to be there, they know my feelings, but I don’t control what’s going to happen,” he said. “That’s between them and [agent] Scott [Boras].”

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Evans said he is considering re-signing free agents Chan Ho Park and Terry Adams, but declined comment on whether the club plans to offer them arbitration.

If the pitchers are not offered arbitration by Friday, they could not re-sign with the team until May and the Dodgers would not receive draft picks as compensation if they sign with other teams. The Dodgers are expected to offer arbitration to Park but not Adams.

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The Dodgers hope to bolster the bullpen by signing right-handed setup man Dave Weathers, and acquiring a left-handed setup man in a trade.

They are one of many teams interested in Jason Isringhausen, considered the top remaining free-agent closer.

The Oakland Athletics have offered Isringhausen a four-year, $24-million contract. He is believed to be seeking a five-year package that averages about $7 million.

It appears that reliever Mike Trombley might not be with the Dodgers much longer.

Evans, who acquired the right-hander from the Baltimore Orioles in July, is trying to trade him, sources said.

Trombley, who had a salary of $2 million last season, was 0-4 with a 6.56 earned-run average in 19 games for the Dodgers. He is owed $2.25 million.