Dodgers Pondering Decision on Shaw

In what will be their first major decision of the off-season, the Dodgers have five days after the end of the World Series to inform all-star closer Jeff Shaw whether they plan to exercise his contract option for next season, baseball sources said Wednesday.

If the $7.05-million option is exercised, Shaw has 10 days to accept or reject the one-year contract. If he declines, the package’s buyout would be reduced from $1.5 million to $1 million.

Shaw, 35, had a salary of $6.05 million in the final guaranteed season of a deal that has paid him $15.15 million. He finished in a three-way tie for second in the National League with 43 saves, and was 3-5 with a 3.62 earned-run average.

It had been believed that the right-hander, who established a franchise record with 129 saves, would retire regardless of the Dodgers’ decision. In a recent interview, however, Shaw’s agent intimated that he might consider playing elsewhere.

Joe Bick said that Shaw, who has returned to his family’s home in Washington Court House, Ohio, is confident he could continue to be an effective reliever based on his success this season.

“Based on what he’s done this year, definitely,” Bick said. “He had 43 saves for a club that won [86] games. He clearly has good years left, if that’s what he decides he wants to do.”

The Dodgers do not have a proven in-house replacement for Shaw if they reject the option or he leaves in free agency. Second-year setup man Matt Herges is considered the top candidate.

“We really can’t do anything until they make their decision,” Bick said. “After they tell us what they’re going to do, then we’ll go from there.”

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Dodger infielders Jeff Branson and Chris Donnels, pitchers Dennis Springer and Al Reyes and outfielder Bruce Aven and catcher Brian Johnson declined to be outrighted to the minor leagues and elected to become free agents.... Catcher Angel Pena, the organization’s 1998 minor league player of the year, also became a free agent after six seasons in the minors.