Business Isn’t Good for Herges

VERO BEACH, Fla. â€”  Talks between the Dodgers and a representative for Matt Herges on a multiyear contract broke off Wednesday, leaving the Dodger reliever jilted and challenging his loyalty to the organization.

“It’s very disappointing,� said Herges, who was the team’s setup man last season and is in line to become the closer this year. “They obviously think I’m just an average reliever, and I don’t think of myself like that, but they’re the ones who have all the power right now.�

Herges, who went 9-8 with a 3.44 earned-run average in 75 games last season, said earlier this week that he loves playing for the Dodgers and hopes he isn’t traded, but he admitted it will feel “different� walking into the clubhouse this morning.

“Everyone says it’s a business, go pitch your butt off this year and prove them wrong; then I’ll be arbitration-eligible, and I’ll hold the cards,� Herges said. “Actually, this woke me up. Now I know how they feel about me, and it lit a fire under me. I want to have a great year, and we’ll take care of business next year.�

Herges, 32, has a little more than two years’ big league service time, so he’s not eligible for arbitration until next winter. Agent Dan Horwits would not reveal the amount of the Dodgers’ last offer, but a source familiar with negotiations said it was for two years and $1.17 million, $370,000 this year and $800,000 in 2003. Horwits hopes to negotiate a one-year deal before Saturday’s contract renewal deadline.

“They’re comparing Matt to middle relievers, and we feel Matt’s value is a lot higher,� Horwits said. “That’s where the disagreement is.�

The Dodgers used middle relievers such as St. Louis’ Steve Kline (3-3, 1.80 ERA in 89 games last season), Florida’s Braden Looper (3-3, 3.55 ERA in 71 games), Colorado’s Jose Paniagua (4-3, 4.36 ERA in 60 games for Seattle) and Pittsburgh’s Scott Sauerbeck (2-2, 5.60 ERA in 70 games) as their comparisons.

The four, all of whom have more than three years’ service time, made between $400,000 and $837,500 last season. Horwits thought Herges should be compared to higher-paid setup men such as Milwaukee’s Chad Fox, who recently signed for $1.25 million.

“One of the most difficult things about a negotiation is sometimes it doesn’t work,� Dodger General Manager Dan Evans said. “The problem here was knowing what his role is. This was merely a difference of opinion based on what his value is and the uncertainty of his role. In no way does this affect how we feel about Matt as a player and a person. We value him highly.�

Forgive Herges if he doesn’t feel the love.

“I love L.A. and I don’t want to go anywhere, but it kind of hurts that they don’t feel the same way about me that some other people do,� Herges said. “I understand it’s a business and you can’t take it personal, but I’m a human being. It’s tough, and it’s going to take a while to get over it.�

*

Shortstop Alex Cora suffered a bruised left shoulder diving for a flare during an intrasquad game Wednesday. The injury is not believed to be serious, but it will prevent Cora from playing in today’s Grapefruit League opener against the Florida Marlins.... Eric Gagne and Odalis Perez, who are battling for the fifth spot in the rotation, will pitch against the Marlins today. Omar Daal, another candidate for the fifth spot, will start Friday against Houston.... After a six-pitch, three-up, three-down first inning, Hideo Nomo gave up a run on two hits in the second inning of the intrasquad game. Nomo will make his first exhibition start Sunday against Florida.... Kevin Brown continued his recovery from elbow surgery with a 60-pitch bullpen workout. “I’m happy with the way things are going,� Brown said. “I’m on the mound, I’m throwing, and it doesn’t hurt. That’s a plus.�