DODGERS NOTEBOOK: IN TALKS, HERGES FEELING SPURNED.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer VERO BEACH Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. - Dodgers right-hander Matt Herges Matthew Tyler Herges (born April 1, 1970, in Champaign, Illinois) is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an alumnus of Illinois State University. Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1992, Herges would make his Major League Baseball debut with watched his close friend and teammate Paul Lo Duca Paul Anthony Lo Duca (born April 12, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the New York Mets. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004) and Florida Marlins (2004-2005). sign the first big contract of his career Tuesday with great joy, and hoped he would be next. Instead, Herges is confused and unhappy. Talks between Herges' agent, Dan Horwits, and the Dodgers about a two-year contract abruptly ended Wednesday. ``I'm very disappointed,'' Herges said. ``The Dodgers don't view me as the quality pitcher I thought I was. I'm not complaining, I'm just a little disturbed. We didn't see eye to eye. I'm kind of down about it because it kind of wakes me up because they don't feel for me what I thought they did. ``It's kind of like being in eighth grade and you really like this girl. Then you find out she hates you. It kind of makes you sick to your stomach. Without a doubt, I've got a sick feeling in my stomach, but I know I have to show up at the field tomorrow and try.'' The Dodgers' last offer was two years, $1.17 million and Horwits countered with a two-year deal worth about $1.75 million, sources said. Herges, who made $250,000 last season, is expected to be renewed at $370,000 by Saturday's deadline. He will be eligible for salary arbitration after the upcoming season. ``What I'd like to know is why they didn't want to even talk about three years,'' Herges said. ``They said only two. I appreciate what they did for me up to this date, but it's kind of an eye-opener.'' Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said it was a club decision not to pursue a three-year deal, particularly because of the uncertainty of his role. Herges spent the last two years as a setup man, one of the most valuable guys in the Dodgers bullpen, but is in contention for the closer's spot this season. Herges is competing with Paul Quantrill ``In no way do we have any ill will toward Matt or his agent,'' Evans said. ``We don't hate him at all. We think very highly of him. This is merely a difference of opinion regarding his salary in 2003. And that's really all it comes down to. I respect the judgment and homework in our decision-making that went into this, and respect Dan Horwits and his firm.'' Herges was second on the Dodgers with 75 appearances last season, going 9-8 with a 3.44 ERA. In the last two seasons, Herges was 22-11 with a 3.30 ERA. ``I've never been a player that's had to play mad, or plays better when I'm mad,'' Herges said. ``I don't think it's going to affect me on the field. I'll still pitch hard. I still want to be a Dodger. I need to prove to the Dodgers what type of pitcher I am and get it done. They say they like Matt Herges, but they have to show me now.'' --Mulholland madness: A year ago, Dodgers manager Jim Tracy
Mulholland is a 1981 graduate of Laurel Highlands (Pennsylvania) High School. . Mulholland is an experienced starter, so it won't be totally new. However, he's pitched mostly in relief since 1997. He's hoping he builds up to a six-inning start by the end of the spring. Mulholland, who turns 39 on March 9, is also working with Dodgers Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax ``Hopefully, I can get more rotation on the ball between the mound and the plate,'' said Mulholland, who is scheduled to pitch Saturday against Baltimore. ``Hopefully, it'll have a quicker break and be more consistent. The way I see it , he had a great curveball. Probably the best curveball of all. How can it hurt to ask?'' --Odds and ends: Right-hander Kevin Brown The name Kevin Brown can refer to several different people, including the following:
(born Aug. 31, 1968 , Osaka, Japan) Japanese baseball pitcher whose success with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 created new opportunities for Asian players in Major League Baseball. , who will see his first Grapefruit League action Sunday, allowed one run in two innings and Dante Bichette He began his career with the California Angels in 1988 but was a streaky hitter and was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1991. had two hits in an intrasquad game. DODGERS vs. FLORIDA Time: 10:05 a.m., Space Coast Stadium. Radio: 1150-AM (tape delay at noon), 1330-AM (tape delay at 4 p.m.) Matchup: RH Eric Gagne opens the Grapefruit League season for the Dodgers against Florida RH Ryan Dempster Ryan Scott Dempster (born May 3, 1977 in Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada) is a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball. Dempster bats and throws right handed. He has a win-loss record of 56-59 and an earned run average of 4. . LH Odalis Perez will also pitch. Both will throw two innings or 40 pitches. CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS vs. FLORIDA (see text) |
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