Dodger Forecast: Mostly Cloudy

An already complicated off-season for the Dodgers grew more problematic Sunday with the revelation that first baseman Eric Karros has been suffering from a shoulder injury and plans to undergo surgery as early as Friday, reducing from slim to none any chance the team had of trading him this winter.

An MRI test last season revealed a torn labrum in Karros’ left (non-throwing) shoulder, and the 11-year veteran will have another MRI exam to determine the extent of the damage, agent Jeff Moorad said Sunday. Angel medical director Lewis Yocum is expected to perform the surgery.

Dodger medical personnel believe the 34-year-old Karros, who played with a torn lower-back muscle in 2001, should be ready for spring training.

“We won’t really know what we’re looking at until we get the MRI,� Karros said.

Karros sat out Sunday’s season-ending 2-0 loss to the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium, as the club finished 92-70 and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth straight season. He played well defensively but hit .271 with a career-low 13 homers and had 73 runs batted in.

“Eric is the last person to use an injury as an excuse, and he won’t, but he was not able to pull through the strike zone because of his shoulder,� Moorad said. “As a result, most of his power was gone.�

Karros made $6.5 million this season and will make $8 million in 2003. The club holds a $9-million option for 2004, which vests if Karros has 500 plate appearances next season.

“All I’m thinking about now is looking forward to getting it fixed,� Karros said. “I wouldn’t say I’m scared, I just want to get it taken care of.�

His surgery further clouds the off-season for the Dodgers, whose bloated payroll and inflexible roster will make it difficult for General Manager Dan Evans to add the necessary ingredients--another big bat is the team’s most pressing need--to push the Dodgers from the cusp of the playoffs over that October threshold.

The Dodgers have $95 million in salary committed to 12 players for 2003, and pitcher Odalis Perez and third baseman Adrian Beltre are expected to receive significant raises in arbitration. The Dodgers would like to keep their payroll around its current $105-million range.

With $26 million wrapped up in injury-plagued pitchers Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort, it will be difficult to add the rotation insurance that Omar Daal, who is expected to leave as a free agent, provided this season.

And with $13.5 million guaranteed to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, whose high price tag and limited power make him difficult to trade, and Karros, it will be tough to find the roster and payroll space to pursue premier free agents such as Jeff Kent and Jim Thome.

“I don’t think we have as many moves to make this winter, but we don’t have as much flexibility to make them,� Evans said. “In order to do some things, we have to figure out a way to create a position.�

Right fielder Shawn Green, who hit .285 with 42 homers and 114 RBIs, thinks the Dodger bullpen is as good as any in baseball and the rotation, when healthy, is solid.

“I just think we need to add a little offense,� he said. “There are some good hitters out there. Obviously, this is a difficult economic situation. It’s a matter of what the organization is willing to do.�

If the Dodgers can’t add a bat, they may need to add some creativity.

“We have to change our offensive approach, because we’re the most nonaggressive team I’ve seen in my life, as far as hit-and-runs, making things happen,� left fielder Brian Jordan said. “We’re not the kind of team that can sit back and wait for home runs, so we’ve got to be more aggressive. That’s something we should have learned this year.�

Many of the Dodgers’ most glaring questions last spring--Who will be the closer? Who will bat leadoff? Will Green thrive without Gary Sheffield in the lineup?--were answered with exclamation points by Eric Gagne (52 saves), Dave Roberts (.277, 45 stolen bases) and Green’s productive season.

But there are more questions this off-season: What will become of Jordan, who will undergo major knee surgery Tuesday? Will Marquis Grissom or Daal be back? Will Brown and Dreifort return to form?

After struggling with his trade from Atlanta and dealing with numerous injuries, Jordan went on a tear in September, hitting .347 with five home runs and 30 RBIs to boost his season totals to a respectable .285, 18 homers and 80 RBIs.

Jordan provided vocal, veteran leadership, was an integral part of the team’s improved chemistry, and likes the direction the Dodgers seem headed.

But Jordan wasn’t a big fan of Los Angeles, and as a player traded during a multiyear deal, he can demand a trade after the World Series. If Jordan makes the request and a deal is not made by next March 15, Jordan can rescind his trade demand or become a free agent, voiding the final year of his five-year, $40-million contract.

“I’m going to explore my options,� Jordan said. “I don’t want to play all the way out here just for one year. I’d rather be closer to my family [in Atlanta]. I hope to be with a contender on the East Coast. But I definitely haven’t ruled out coming back here.�

What if the Dodgers guaranteed Jordan’s $10.5-million option for 2004?

“That wouldn’t be enough,� Jordan said. “I’m just being honest.�

What if the Dodgers added two or three more years to his contract?

“That’s different,� Jordan, 35, said. “That’s security, and that would make it easier on my family.�

Grissom also could determine Jordan’s fate. Grissom was among the most valuable Dodgers, hitting .277 with 17 homers and 60 RBIs while platooning with Roberts in center and spelling Jordan in left. Like Jordan, Grissom is one of the most respected and well-liked veterans in the clubhouse.

But Grissom, 35, wants to be an everyday player, and with Green and Roberts returning and Jordan likely back, the Dodgers can’t guarantee him a starting job.

There are risks for Jordan if he asks for a trade; he could be traded to Milwaukee or Kansas City. And with an uncertain free-agent market in the wake of the new labor agreement and Jordan coming off surgery to remove part of his patellar tendon, it’s doubtful he’d receive an offer as good as his current deal.

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The Dodger coaching staff--Jim Riggleman (bench), Jim Colborn (pitching), Jack Clark (hitting), Glenn Hoffman (third base), John Shelby (first base) and Jim Lett (bullpen)--was invited back for the 2003 season.