Karros Comes to Bat With Adjusted Deal

The Dodgers moved Thursday to create payroll flexibility and avert a potential showdown with longtime first baseman Eric Karros, altering a contract clause that could have affected his role in 2003.

Chairman Bob Daly, at the request of agent Jeff Moorad, modified a clause that would have guaranteed Karros $9 million in 2004 if he had at least 500 plate appearances next season, enabling the Dodgers to decline the option, for a $1-million buyout, regardless of Karros’ time in the lineup. The clause would be reinserted if Karros is traded during the season, and he could decline the option if it vested or was exercised by another club, becoming a free agent. The commissioner’s office is expected to approve the changes within the next few days, baseball sources said.

The Dodgers eagerly accepted Moorad’s proposal because Karros, rehabilitating from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, is coming off consecutive poor seasons and they did not want the option to vest, sources said, considering their high payroll. In 573 plate appearances, the right-handed batter hit .271 with a career-low 13 home runs and 73 runs batted in last season. In 2001, he had a career-worst .235 batting average in 487 plate appearances while playing with a torn lower-back muscle.

“It gives him more flexibility after the 2003 season,” General Manager Dan Evans said. “We felt it gave us some added flexibility, so we agreed.”

Moorad said the move “removes any pressure from the issue of Eric’s playing time.”

Karros, still a commanding presence in the clubhouse, probably would not have gone quietly had he believed the clause was affecting his playing time. And despite their concerns about Karros, the Dodgers would rather avoid a public feud with the all-time L.A. franchise leader in home runs.

Karros, 35, has a salary of $8 million in 2003, the final guaranteed year of a four-year, $29-million deal.

“We felt this was in Eric’s best interests and the best interests of the team,” Moorad said.

Moorad declined comment on how the sides would have handled Karros’ situation had the clause remained in effect, but Evans intimated in October that Karros’ 11-year run as the everyday first baseman had ended, saying the Dodgers are considering acquiring “someone to share time with” Karros. The Dodgers are still seeking a left-handed batter to provide depth and possibly platoon at first base, sources said, but Moorad believes Karros’ working environment improved with Thursday’s move.

“By taking away the trigger mechanism ... it makes it easier for everyone to move forward on the coming season,” said Moorad, who received the approval of the Major League Baseball Players Assn. before approaching Daly.

“Eric and I have always had a good relationship with the Dodgers, and in the spirit of that relationship I went to Bob Daly. Now, Eric can just focus on rehabilitating and getting ready for the season.”