Avila May Be in Line for Front-Office Job

The Dodgers are considering offering Ralph Avila, who had presided over the organization’s Latin America program for more than 20 years, a meaningful position in baseball operations, a club official said Saturday.

Avila, who in 1999 served a one-year suspension for his role in the improper signing of third baseman Adrian Beltre, recently met with executives at Dodgertown. Avila has been an advisor in the Latin America operation, mostly a ceremonial position.

Tom Lasorda, senior vice president, has recommended that Avila, who has signed and helped develop dozens of major leaguers during his 30-plus seasons with the Dodgers, be given a meaningful position on General Manager Paul DePodesta’s staff.

Attempts to contact Avila were unsuccessful. DePodesta acknowledged Avila’s role is being reassessed.

“Ralph Avila was a central figure if not the central figure in the success of our Latin America program for a long time,” DePodesta said. “We still feel he can be.”

Club officials said DePodesta would leave the decision to Rene Francisco, director of international scouting.

Avila was instrumental in the construction and direction of Campo Las Palmas, the Dodgers’ groundbreaking baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. Avila was a key figure, professionally and personally, in the lives of many players who passed through the academy on their way to the big leagues, including Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner.

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Despite Kazuhisa Ishii’s efforts to revamp his delivery, some in the organization are concerned it won’t help his efficiency and he should be traded.

Other clubs also have concerns about Ishii’s command, though his contract situation has stirred some interest.

Ishii has a salary of $2.6 million this season, of which $1.35 million is deferred without interest. He is guaranteed $3.2 million in 2005, of which $2.05 million is deferred without interest. The Dodgers hold an option for $3.25 million in 2006, or a $2.2 million buyout, and an option for $4 million, or $1.1 million buyout, in 2007.

Ishii was a 14-game winner as a rookie in 2002 and went 9-7 with a 3.86 earned-run average last season.

“We definitely have some pieces we can move,” DePodesta said, commenting only generally about the team’s situation. “The hardest part right now is the balance: Are we definitely improving more than what we’re giving up?”

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The Dodgers were routed by the Detroit Tigers, 9-2, at Lakeland. Odalis Perez (1-1) gave up nine hits and four runs (one earned) in five innings. He also had seven strikeouts without a walk.