Dodgers May Offer Arbitration to Worrell

The Dodgers, who don’t want to risk losing all-star closer Todd Worrell to free agency, are strongly considering offering him arbitration rights before Thursday’s deadline, Executive Vice President Fred Claire said Monday.

Worrell, who earned $4.25 million last season in the final year of a three-year, $10.5-million contract, would not be able to file for free agency if the Dodgers offered arbitration. The team’s gamble is that Worrell could be awarded more than $5 million on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. The benefit of arbitration is that the Dodgers would retain exclusive negotiating rights until an arbitration hearing in February.

“Todd’s important to us,� Claire said. “He’s certainly on top of his game. . . .

“Todd is aware we want to work something out, but if we don’t offer arbitration and he talks to other clubs, there’s an unknown there.�

Worrell, 36, saved a franchise-record 32 games in 36 opportunities, had a 4-1 record and a 2.02 earned-run average.

The Dodgers will allow starting pitcher Tom Candiotti and center fielder Brett Butler to file for free agency by not offering arbitration but would like them back.

Starter Ramon Martinez, the Dodgers’ top priority, will file for free agency by the end of the week, according to agent Jim Bronner. Martinez, unlike Worrell, Candiotti and Butler, is an unrestricted free agent and can negotiate with any club.

“They haven’t approached us yet with an offer so we’ll file,� Bronner said. “If all things are equal, he would certainly like to come back to the Dodgers.�

The Dodgers have only three players signed to 1996 contracts, first baseman Eric Karros at $3.15 million, catcher Mike Piazza at $2.7 million, and reliever Rudy Seanez at $650,000.

In other news, the Dodgers sent minor league outfielder Chris Latham to the Minnesota Twins to complete their July 31 trade that brought them pitchers Kevin Tapani and Mark Guthrie.