New Dodger Garciaparra Simply Played It by Heart

Once again, contract offers from multiple teams were nearly indistinguishable.

So once again, Nomar Garciaparra allowed his heart to tug him in a particular direction.

A year ago he chose the Chicago Cubs over the Dodgers because the affection of Wrigley Field fans had buoyed him while the Boston Red Sox -- the team with which he had spent nearly eight seasons -- won a World Series without him.

This time the tipping point was the memory of attending his first big league game with his parents, of stopping for French dip sandwiches on the way, of sitting in the stands with a fielder’s glove that already felt like part of his hand.

Dodger Stadium seemed like a shrine to the youngster from Whittier more than 20 years ago. Now it will be a workplace where he will try to mend his body, resuscitate his career and regain his place among baseball’s elite players.

“All the chills and memories I had from my childhood of coming to Dodger Stadium came back to me,” Garciaparra said of two meetings he had last week with Dodger executives.

“It was an unbelievable feeling driving here. That really put me over the top.”

Garciaparra, 32, signed a one-year contract for $6 million that could increase to $10 million if he makes 575 plate appearances. The two-time batting champion will earn $500,000 over the base amount for every 25 plate appearances beyond 375, and half the money from the performance incentives would be deferred without interest.

And he will swap the fielder’s glove for a first baseman’s mitt and join two other newcomers in a Dodger infield that could rival any in baseball. Certainly it will be one of the most expensive -- the average annual value of contracts for shortstop Rafael Furcal ($13 million), second baseman Jeff Kent ($9 million), third baseman Bill Mueller ($4.75 million) and Garciaparra exceeds $30 million.

Garciaparra, whose .320 lifetime batting average is fifth among active players, will bat fifth in a lineup that seems to improve by the day. The Dodgers today are expected to make official a one-year deal for center fielder Kenny Lofton, giving them more top-of-the-order speed to go with Furcal.

General Manager Ned Colletti said that Jose Cruz Jr. or Jason Repko would play center field on days the 38-year-old Lofton rested, and that J.D. Drew would stay in right field. Trading for a power-hitting left fielder remains a possibility, although Colletti is becoming increasingly comfortable with a combination of Cruz, Jayson Werth, Ricky Ledee and Repko.

Decisions must be made by 9 p.m. today on the status of first baseman Hee-Seop Choi and catcher Jason Phillips. Neither is expected to be offered arbitration, although a deal with Choi could be reached before the deadline. Phillips is almost certain to leave, because veteran Sandy Alomar Jr. was signed to back up Dioner Navarro.

Adding a starting pitcher is now the top priority. Colletti has managed to revamp the batting order without giving up any prospects. But he is leaving open the option of trading for a proven starter.

“If I can make it through the off-season without trading a young player, so be it,” he said. “The roster is always a work in progress. You never say, ‘It’s done and I’m going to watch the team play.’ ”

The addition of Garciaparra probably eliminates the possibility of Kent’s moving to first base when Cesar Izturis returns from the disabled list at midseason. Colletti had considered moving Izturis, a Gold Glove winner at shortstop in 2004, to second base and having Garciaparra play left field.

“I see him more as a first baseman than a left fielder,” Colletti said of Garciaparra. “The action in the infield really appeals to him. He’s always been an infielder.”

The uncertainty surrounding Izturis’ rehabilitation from ligament-replacement surgery in his right elbow makes Colletti uncomfortable.

“It’s an injury no one really knows how you come back from [as in infielder],” Colletti said. “I can’t predict what will happen between now and the middle of July. I’d rather have too many good players than not enough.”

As for Garciaparra’s injuries the last two season, Dodger physicians have determined they shouldn’t linger.

[Dr. Frank Jobe] and his people checked everything,” Colletti said. “Nobody could come out with a better reading than Nomar did.”

Wrist and Achilles’ tendon injuries limited Garciaparra to 81 games with the Red Sox and Cubs in 2004 and a torn left groin limited him to 62 games with the Cubs last season. He played third base after coming off the disabled list Aug. 5, batting .318 with a .531 slugging percentage. He batted .283 for the season.

“The Achilles was a freak thing and last year was a freak injury too,” said Garciaparra, who acknowledged that part of the reason for moving from the left side of the infield to first base is to reduce the wear and tear on his body.

He can only hope the emotional toll he endured the last two seasons is behind him as well. Leaving Boston was gut-wrenching, and the promise of a fresh start in Chicago was dashed by injury.

“I thought I would finish my career in Boston,” he said. “The fans embraced me, and I embraced them back. They will always be in my heart, the fans and the city. In Chicago I had the same feeling.

“Now to be able to come home, it’s hard to describe how good it feels.”

Garciaparra’s parents, his two sisters and his wife, Mia Hamm, accompanied him at the news conference. They will be able to watch him play more often than ever. Although his contract is for only one year, he wants to remain a Dodger beyond next season.

“Ultimately, we want it to turn into a long-term deal,” said Arn Tellem, Garciaparra’s agent. “That was expressed from both sides. He wants to end his career here.”

Said Garciaparra: “The biggest thing I can achieve is being part of a World Series team. That’s what I want to do here.”

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