Adams Improving His Stock

Terry Adams has impressed many clubs that plan to pursue starting pitchers, adding to a long list of potential off-season problems for the Dodgers.

Three baseball executives said recently that the converted reliever is expected to be one of the most pursued players in this winter’s pitching-thin, free-agent market.

That’s bad news for the Dodgers, who sources said will not re-sign Chan Ho Park if the price is $20 million a season.

And the Dodgers might face difficulty in retaining Adams because of how management treated him during the previous off-season. Adams rejected a three-year contract after at least one high-ranking Dodger official persuaded Chairman Bob Daly to hold firm on an $8.7-million offer.

The Dodgers do not comment on contract negotiations and Adams declined to discuss the situation, but sources said Adams would have agreed to a deal that guaranteed him about $11 million.

He was awarded a $2.6-million contract in arbitration and might command a four-year, $30-million deal after the season.

Moreover, Adams felt the Dodgers treated him disrespectfully throughout the process, so he’s not inclined to give them a home-team discount. “I guess everything depends on how highly they think of me,” said Adams, 11-6 with a 4.38 earned-run average. “I hope they make it easy on me. If they don’t, I’m prepared to listen to what everyone has to say.

“I like it here, I like my teammates and my coaching staff. [Manager] Jim Tracy has given me this opportunity [to start], so I owe it to him to listen to what his people have to say.

“But then again, if it’s something that goes on like it did last off-season, I’d rather not put myself through that again. I’m willing to go in another direction.”

So, how much are the Dodgers willing to pay Park?

Daly, interim General Manager Dave Wallace and Dan Evans, his top assistant, have said they are focused on the playoff race and will address off-season issues in the off-season. But sources said Park’s situation is a hot topic at Chavez Ravine.

Although the Dodgers still have concerns about Park’s focus, they acknowledge he’s one of baseball’s top starters and want him to sign a multiyear deal.

The problem is that they are under industry pressure not to give another record-setting contract and are not sure Park is worth $20 million, sources said.

Some believe the Dodgers will offer Park a package that averages $16 million for four years, which would make him the game’s highest-paid pitcher. That still may not be enough to retain him.

ON DECK

Opponent--Colorado Rockies, three games.

Site--Coors Field, Denver.

Tonight--6 PDT.

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

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

Records--Dodgers 75-62, Rockies 60-76.

Record vs. Rockies--9-7.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ JAMES BALDWIN (2-2, 4.14 ERA)

vs. ROCKIES’ DENNY NEAGLE (8-7, 5.22 ERA)

Update--The Dodgers begin a 12-game, 14-day trip tonight.

Wednesday, 6 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (13-9, 3.05 ERA) vs. John Thomson (2-5, 4.21 ERA).

Thursday, 6 p.m.--Terry Adams (11-6, 4.38 ERA) vs. Mike Hampton (13-10, 4.96 ERA).