Gagne Upset in One Respect

Hoping to be shown “respect” after several frustrating experiences with the Dodgers, All-Star closer Eric Gagne on Monday expressed his desire for a multiyear contract extension.

Gagne, the 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner, said he was especially disappointed because the Dodgers chose not to offer him a one-year deal that might have enabled them to avoid arbitration, adding that he took exception to some of the arguments raised by the team in winning the case.

Adding to Gagne’s frustration during the process was watching St. Louis sign Albert Pujols, who has less time in the major leagues than Gagne, to a seven-year, $100-million contract.

Gagne said that his contract situation wouldn’t be an issue this season, but that he still harbored resentment before his first workout at Dodgertown.

“I’ve been loyal here for nine years, this is the only organization I’ve ever been in, and I love L.A. and all the fans, so it would show me some respect if they wanted to talk about a deal, but they haven’t done it for me yet,” the record-setting reliever said.

“That’s in their hands, and I can’t do anything about it. We’re willing to talk if they want to talk, and that would show a lot of respect, but they’re the ones who have the decisions to make. The only thing I can control is what I do on the mound, but then I’ve got [three] more years and then I’m a free agent.

“That’s the only time I’m going to have any leverage, which is when I can do whatever I want. I’d love to have a multiyear deal, but I’m not going to stir up anything just to get one. I’m not going to keep talking about this; I’ll just go to arbitration, which I don’t like, again and again if that’s what they decide. It’s a business, it’s the Dodgers’ decision, so I guess you just have to do what you have to do.”

A three-person panel sided with the club Thursday in awarding Gagne $5 million this season, the highest salary for a pitcher in his first season of arbitration eligibility but $3 million less than he had sought. It was another bitter experience for Gagne, who received only a $550,000 contract after his breakthrough 52-save season in 2002.

Assistant general manager Kim Ng was in charge of the arbitration process for the Dodgers. New General Manager Paul DePodesta said he had not determined how to handle the Gagne situation, but planned to meet with agent Scott Boras early next week at Dodgertown.

With only two seasons of service last year, Pujols, an All-Star infielder-outfielder, received a one-year, $900,000 contract from St. Louis. The sides avoided arbitration this season, agreeing on the biggest deal in Cardinal history.

“What they did for Pujols was great,” Gagne said. “They showed him a lot of respect.”

Gagne had hoped to avoid the divisive process, saying he would have strongly considered accepting a one-year deal for $6.5 million -- the midpoint of the sides’ figures. The Dodgers, however, did not offer to settle.

“They never offered the midpoint, and that’s the most disappointing thing to me about this,” Gagne said. “No offers at all, and I would have considered it.

“I could have had at least a say in it, where I might not have gone to arbitration, but they left me no choice but to go. Maybe we could have avoided all that.”

Gagne had perhaps the best season ever for a closer: 2-3 with a 1.20 earned-run average, 55 saves in as many opportunities, 137 strikeouts, 37 hits and 20 walks in 82 1/3 innings. He has saved a major league-record 63 consecutive games since August 2002.

Boras argued that Gagne’s numerous “special accomplishments” qualified him to be compared to baseball’s highest-paid closers regardless of his time in the majors. In making their case, the Dodgers argued Gagne’s accomplishments had to be weighed against his service time, the recent downturn in baseball salaries and the effect of his salary on first-time-eligible closers.

“We thought we had a strong case, a no-brainer,” Gagne said. “We were really confident when we went in there, but there were a lot of things said that ... all you want for them to do is decide independently and freely.

“But it’s over now, and I just want to play ball. I would never let this bother me, because my teammates are my second family.... We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

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Manager Jim Tracy said right fielder Shawn Green would work exclusively at first base early this spring. The Dodgers are strongly considering moving Green to first this season.... Left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii is making mechanical changes in his delivery that the Dodgers hope will improve his control, pitching coach Jim Colborn said.... Guillermo Mota is expected to arrive today after resolving visa problems.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Give and Take

Teams have won four arbitration cases this off-season, including the Dodgers’ against All-Star pitcher Eric Gagne. The players have won three. A look:

PLAYER VICTORIES

*--* Player, Club Asked Offered A.J. Pierzynski, S.F. Giants $3,500,000 $2,250,000 David Eckstein, Angels $2,150,000 $1,600,000 Jack Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates $1,850,000 $1,400,000

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TEAM VICTORIES

*--* Player, Club Asked Offered Eric Gagne, Dodgers $8,000,000 $5,000,000 Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins $2,450,000 $1,600,000 Nick Johnson, Montreal Expos $1,680,000 $1,250,000 Chris Reitsma, Cincinnati Reds $1,450,000 $950,000

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