Dodgers Facing Big Questions

The Dodgers have begun a new era under General Manager Dan Evans, but Chan Ho Park and Gary Sheffield might not move forward with them.

Management is frustrated with Park and the feeling is mutual, prompting some baseball officials to believe that the free-agent starter will leave after the World Series.

Although the productive Sheffield is under contract for another three seasons, the Dodgers are tired of worrying about the all-star outfielder’s mood.

Evans also has concerns about the rotation, batting order and bullpen, and the club’s bloated payroll complicates matters, but addressing the Park and Sheffield situations top his off-season to-do list.

“Well, those are two situations that have to be discussed,” said Evans, who accompanied the club on the final trip that ended with Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Pacific Bell Park.

“When I have all the opinions of our staff, I’ll be prepared to go forth and [handle] situations like that. But I’m not going to cheat myself and rush on decisions that don’t have to be made today.”

But they must be made soon.

Park, 28, is considered the top starter in a pitching-thin free-agent market, and he might receive a record-setting salary.

The right-hander finished 15-11 and was among the majors’ leaders with a 3.50 earned-run average, 234 innings, 218 strikeouts and 26 quality starts.

However, with starters Andy Ashby, Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort having undergone season-ending surgeries, the Dodgers wanted more from Park, and he didn’t deliver as hoped.

Park was 7-6 with a 4.40 ERA after the All-Star break, stirring questions in the clubhouse about his heart and focus.

Agent Scott Boras has been critical of how Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn handled Park, and players acknowledge there was friction between Park and Colborn.

Starters Terry Adams and James Baldwin also are free agents. Closer Jeff Shaw, who had 43 saves and established a record for overall saves with the franchise, can reject a contract option and become a free agent.

Ashby and Brown are expected to rejoin the rotation in 2002, but Dreifort might sit out the season after having his pitching elbow reconstructed for the second time.

The Dodgers already have $81.8 million committed to 13 players for next season, and Park’s salary is expected to increase considerably from $10 million.

The Dodgers want to sign two of their free-agent starters, might need a closer and are determined to acquire a consistent leadoff batter.

It appears Park could be the odd man out because of his price tag, and he seems resigned to changing his work address.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Park, 80-54 with a 3.80 ERA in six-plus seasons with the Dodgers. “Hopefully, I’ll be back, but it’s really not up to me.

“Do they [want me back]? It’s up to the Dodgers and ... I just really don’t know.”

The Sheffield situation is more complicated.

In his last three seasons, Sheffield has batted at least .300 with 30 home runs, 100 runs batted in and a .400 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage. He had another outstanding season-batting .311 with 36 homers and 100 RBIs-despite a severely sprained left index finger.

Of Sheffield’s homers this season, 24 either tied the score or put the team ahead, and three provided the difference in 1-0 victories.

Sheffield, who returned to the lineup shortly after a fainting spell in August, moved from third in the order to cleanup to accommodate right fielder Shawn Green, who established a club season record with 49 homers and finished second in the National League with 17 assists.

With salaries of $9.5 million in 2002 and ’03 (the club holds an $11-million option in 2004), Sheffield is considered cost-effective in today’s market. So why are the Dodgers considering trading him?

There is lingering resentment in the organization about Sheffield’s comments in spring training regarding his desire for a contract extension.

He put that aside after hiring Boras, who persuaded Daly not to trade Sheffield, but fires are still smoldering.

“I’ve made it be known that I want to be here, it’s no secret, but I don’t want to be somewhere where nobody wants me,” Sheffield said. “Would I be surprised if I wasn’t here [next season]? No, I wouldn’t. I expect the worst all the time. I’ve come to that conclusion because I have to.”

Boras continues to try to allay the Dodgers’ fears. Whether Sheffield has finally worn out his welcome is a front-burner issue for Evans.

“I wasn’t here until [May 31], so I don’t know what transpired in spring training, but I’m going to ask about that,” Evans said. “It wouldn’t be a real good decision on my part to have an opinion on where Gary Sheffield stands, and where any of these guys stand, until I get some questions answered.”

Evans does not have questions about Tracy, who held the club together while shuffling the rotation and lineup because of injuries.

The Dodgers (86-76) finished third in the NL West division despite one of baseball’s highest payrolls at about $116 million, but they were in contention longer than many expected.

As a reward for the stability Tracy provided, the Dodgers are expected to exercise one of his three contract options this off-season.

But even if Park and Sheffield return and Evans accomplishes his off-season objectives, Tracy might not have enough to end the Dodgers’ streak of 13 seasons without a playoff victory.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

What’s Next

Some final Dodger numbers:

Record: 85-76

Games back in Nat. West: 6

Team batting average: .255

Team ERA: 4.20