Dodgers Bucking for More?

SAN DIEGO —  Alex Rodriguez is finishing the regular season against the Angels at Edison Field, leading the Seattle Mariners in their pursuit of the American League West championship.

He might lead the Dodgers to a title next season.

The Dodgers, who defeated the San Diego Padres, 3-0, Friday night at Qualcomm Stadium, are among many teams that covet the all-star shortstop and top position player in the 2000 free-agent class.

Many believe Rodriguez will become baseball’s first $150-million to $200-million player, and the Dodgers are on bad terms with the commissioner’s office and owners after giving pitcher Kevin Brown and right fielder Shawn Green record-setting, industry-angering deals the past two off-seasons.

Pursuing a player expected to have an average-annual salary of $20 million won’t repair that damage, but acquiring Rodriguez could re-energize the Dodgers.

“If he was in this lineup next year, I’d say we would win the whole thing,” said left fielder Gary Sheffield, who hit his 43rd home run Friday to tie Hall of Famer Duke Snider for the single-season franchise mark. “It’s not a matter of having any doubt about that--I know that. I know that because of what type of player A-Rod is and what type of intensity he’s going to bring every day.

It’s not that simple for Dodger decision-makers.

The Dodgers are concerned about their fiscally irresponsible image, prompting Chairman Bob Daly to suggest that the roster could be upgraded without pushing the payroll over $100 million.

Baseball officials doubt that, considering the Dodgers have 14 players under contract for next season at $75.2 million. And that doesn’t include pitchers Darren Dreifort and Chan Ho Park.

Dreifort is eligible for free agency and expected to make $45 million to $50 million in a five-year deal. Park, who can become a free agent after next season, will make $8 million to $11 million in a one-year deal, and might command as much as $90 million in a multiyear contract as a free agent.

The Dodgers, who haven’t won a playoff game since 1988, disappointed fans again despite increasing their payroll to a stunning level; team officials are worried about re-signing Dreifort and Park, and the commissioner’s office is watching.

The Dodgers seemingly shouldn’t pursue Rodriguez or other top free-agents because of payroll issues and industry scrutiny, but what’s their alternative?

They are committed to a course of signing high-priced players because of the farm system’s limitations and legacy of the O’Malley family, creating high expectations Fox has failed to meet to this point.

And what about Fox?

Fox paid $2.5 billion to obtain the rights, beginning next season, to broadcast the playoffs, World Series and All-Star game. The 2001-06 package increases the media conglomerate’s commitment to baseball and, one would assume, the Dodgers.

Daly and his partners have the resources to bolster the club and stop the laughter. They can expect more criticism if Rodriguez becomes a Dodger--but they might win more too.

“If you put A-Rod in the middle of our lineup, who would they [opponents] pitch around?” Sheffield said. “He’s just one of those players who has that aura around them.”