Dodgers Sign Martin, Are Pursuing Sexson

Dodger General Manager Dan Evans made his first move of the off-season Thursday, re-signing left-handed reliever Tom Martin to a two-year, $3.3-million contract.

“Tom was a very important part of the bullpen,” Evans said at the general manager meetings here. “We identified him as one of the guys we really wanted to retain.”

Martin, 33, signed with the Dodgers in spring training on the recommendation of reliever Paul Shuey, Martin’s best friend.

He was 1-2 with a 3.53 earned-run average and 51 strikeouts in 51 innings spanning 80 appearances -- tied for third in the major leagues. The six-year veteran set a franchise record for appearances by a left-hander, and only five of the 42 runners he inherited scored.

Martin, whose fastball was clocked consistently in the low 90s, was so effective that Manager Jim Tracy also used him against right-handed batters.

The signing of the free-agent pitcher is the first indication that Evans is moving forward while Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt tries to complete his proposed purchase of the club from News Corp.

Evans said he discussed his plans with Corey Busch, leading the transition team for McCourt.

“I told Bob Daly and Bob Graziano what I was going to try to get Tom signed for,” he said. “Once I got him done, I then notified Corey Busch as a courtesy.”

Evans might soon notify Busch about a deal for Milwaukee Brewer first baseman Richie Sexson. The Dodgers are aggressively pursuing the right-handed batter, who hit 45 home runs with 124 runs batted in last season, officials familiar with the talks said, and appear to be in a race with the Arizona Diamondbacks.