Park Goes for Broke

The Dodgers, already beset by immediate rotation troubles, have a growing potential problem as well because Chan Ho Park could become baseball’s first $20-million pitcher.

Park can become a free agent after the season, and several baseball officials said Scott Boras will seek a record-setting starter’s salary for his client.

The timing couldn’t be worse for the club, trying to remain in playoff contention with a jury-rigged pitching staff, because of uncertainty about next season’s rotation.

Terry Adams gave the club a lift Tuesday night with eight strong innings in a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

So much for the good news.

Darren Dreifort, 29, is expected to sit out most of the 2002 season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery for the second time in six years.

Andy Ashby, 34, also had season-ending elbow surgery and has been on the disabled list often during his 10-year career.

And the Dodgers hope Kevin Brown, 36, will be sidelined only a month because of a torn muscle in his pitching elbow that might require surgery.

Park, coming off a career year, has been consistent in his development, earning his teammates’ confidence.

But the injuries to his fellow starters put Park’s progress in a different light.

Do the Dodgers sign Park, 28, at any cost, reaffirming their free-spending image and increasing an industry-high $110-million payroll? Or do they gamble that he enjoys life at Chavez Ravine too much to leave?

The Dodgers acknowledge it’s a big decision but say they won’t be pressured.

“I don’t believe in rushing into things because of the way something looks at a certain moment,” interim General Manager Dave Wallace said. “I don’t think you can operate effectively that way.

“There are situations that require more attention than others and there are always priorities. But you have to think things through and try to make sound decisions.

“[Park’s situation is] something you always think about behind the scenes. You’re always figuring out what route you go there. But those things solve themselves, and I’m confident that will be solved, however it’s going to be.”

Boras had hoped to resolve the situation with a multiyear contract for Park after his 18-victory season last year.

The Dodgers instead gave Park a one-year, $9.9-million deal, a record for a pitcher with only five-plus years of major league service.

Stung by criticism of many of their recent signings, the Dodgers decided to wait and see with Park.

Including the rest of this season, Ashby, Brown and Dreifort are owed $136 million.

If Park has a salary of $20 million--or more--next season, how high would the Dodger payroll go?

“You’re going to have to make choices in life,” Chairman Bob Daly said recently. “Scott’s going to wait until the end, anyway, and we need to see what the [up-for-renewal] labor deal is and how that comes out.

“There’s a lot that will get looked at before we make that decision. But I don’t foresee the payroll going from $110 million to $130 million, so we’re going to have to make choices. Like anybody, we’re going to have to make decisions.”

Park is 8-6 with a 3.20 earned-run average and tops the staff with 135 innings and 143 strikeouts. He was selected to the All-Star team for the first time.

Park is 73-49 in his career and posted 14, 15, 13 and 18 victories in his four full seasons in the rotation.

Boras believes the native of South Korea is a No. 1 starter and should be paid as such.

“Chan Ho has put himself in that class,” said Boras, who declined to discuss his negotiating plans. “When you look at No. 1 starters, you look at their records, innings, the things they do for their clubs, and Chan Ho has demonstrated those skills.”

The Dodgers gave Brown a seven-year, $105-million contract in 1998, and Mike Hampton of the Colorado Rockies established a new mark with an eight-year, $121-million deal in December.

“One thing we’ve seen is that the pitching market always increases,” Boras said. “I want to make it clear that Chan Ho has enjoyed his time in L.A., and we definitely want to go through that door with the Dodgers once the season ends.

“But we have to evaluate all the options available to make an informed decision. That’s just part of the process.”

Said Daly: “We’re going to try damn hard . . . but there’s no guarantees in life.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Sales Pitch

The highest average salaries for pitchers, with the years the deals were signed:

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Pitcher Avg. Value Year Roger Clemens, N.Y. (A) $15,450,000 2001 Mike Hampton, Colorado $15,125,000 2001 Kevin Brown, Dodgers $15,000,000 1999 Mike Mussina, N.Y. (A) $14,750,000 2001 Randy Johnson, Arizona $13,100,000 1999

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