Adams Is Becoming Increasingly Valuable

It appears that Terry Adams might benefit from the Chan Ho Park controversy, baseball officials said Saturday.

Several executives from other teams believe that Park will not sign with the Dodgers after Monday’s seventh-inning debacle and agent Scott Boras’ subsequent remarks, increasing the pressure on management to retain Adams.

The converted reliever has been the club’s best starter since the All-Star break, improving his stock in this winter’s pitching-thin market.

Adams, scheduled to start today against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium, was expected to seek a four-year, $30-million contract, but two player-personnel sources said he might command as much as a five-year, $55-million deal.

The Dodgers have said they won’t make off-season plans while focusing on the National League playoff races, but it seems that signing Adams has moved to the top of their list.

“He’s been so huge for us,” catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “It’s been pretty amazing what he’s done, and the thing that’s really impressive is that he’s been getting stronger. It’s hard enough to go from relieving to starting in the minor leagues, and to do it for your first time here is incredible. I knew he had the stuff, I’m not surprised about that, I’m just surprised that he’s getting better with as many innings as he’s thrown.

“Last year, he hit 99 [mph on the radar gun] a couple of times. Now, he’s consistently 92 [mph], but he has so much action on the ball, and he works both sides of the plate. Before, he would throw on one side and kind of say, ‘Here it is, try to hit it.’ He’s learning how to use all of his stuff and throw everything for a strike.”

Adams is 12-7 with a 4.22 earned-run average, and has been the club’s best starter in the second half at 8-5 with a 3.58 ERA.

“I’m just glad that I took advantage of the opportunity,” Adams said. “It would have been horrible if this thing had turned out to be something negative, for the team and myself, where I didn’t do well at all.

“I’ve depended on [Lo Duca and backup catcher Chad Kreuter] a lot, because I really wasn’t used to pitching the way you do as a starter. Whatever happens [after the season], I’m proud I was able to contribute [in a playoff push].”

*

Park, bothered by a muscle strain in his right (pitching) forearm, will start Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium, Manager Jim Tracy said.

Tracy said Park did not experience discomfort during a bullpen session Saturday, and team medical personnel have cleared him to pitch.

*

Starter Kevin Brown gave up four hits and one run in five innings in Saturday’s, 6-5, 11-inning victory against Arizona. Brown has given up only five earned runs in 27 1/3 innings since being activated from the disabled list.

*

The club celebrated Tom Lasorda’s 74th birthday in a pregame ceremony.