Byline: Joe Haakenson
Showing that money was no object, the Dodgers signed free-agent pitcher Kevin Brown on Saturday to a seven-year deal worth $105 million, setting the baseball world on its ear.
Both the total value of the contract and average annual salary ($15 million per season) are the highest in baseball history, drawing criticism from many in the business.
``All I can say is as a former general manager (with the Oakland A's) I'm alarmed by the contract,'' Sandy Alderson said in Nashville, Tenn., where baseball's winter meetings are taking place. ``As a member of the commissioner's office, I'm alarmed by this contract, and as a fan of the game, I'd be alarmed by this contract.''
Brown will receive a $5 million signing bonus, $10 million in 1999 and $15 million each season from 2000 to 2005. He also has incentive bonuses in the contract.
The Dodgers, put in a situation of having to defend themselves for becoming an instant World Series contender, point to Brown's durability and the fact that he has pitched in the World Series in each of the past two seasons with different teams (Florida in 1997 and San Diego this past season). The Dodgers haven't been to the World Series since 1988.
``I think Kevin is unique and special in the regard that he is without question the most durable pitcher in the major leagues,'' Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone said. ``Kevin Brown is one of those special players who is capable of elevating a team into a championship team.''
Brown, who lives in Macon, Ga., with his wife and two children, also received a clause in his contract that provides a corporate jet for 12 round-trips a year.
``We think Kevin Brown is a big part of our future,'' Malone said. ``We're comfortable with the terms. We feel like we logically evaluated the marketplace. We needed the player, we wanted the player and we made the commitment to our fans to becoming a winning team.''
``I'm looking forward to being part of the re-establishment of a winning tradition,'' Brown told the Orange County Register. ``I'm excited I will be there to see that happen.''
New Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said Brown, who turns 34 on March 14, will be his Opening Day starter.
``I'm sure that when I read the January, February sports magazines, I'm sure they'll have the Dodgers pretty high,'' Johnson said.
Brown joins Chan Ho Park, Darren Dreifort, Ismael Valdes and Carlos Perez in the Dodgers' starting rotation. Dave Mlicki also figures into the mix.
The Angels, Orioles, Cardinals and Rockies were among the finalists for Brown, but none of those teams offered him more than six years. Brown will be 40 in the seventh and final year of his contract in 2005.
Brown was 18-7 with a 2.38 ERA for the Padres last season and is 139-99 in his 12-year career. He has won 20 games in a season only once - in 1992 with the Rangers when he went 21-11 and was the American League's starting pitcher in the All-Star Game.
``Kevin Brown is a winning pitcher. Kevin Brown has the ability to take a good team and make it a championship team. Kevin Brown took a team to the World Series in 1997 and was in it again in '98,'' Malone said.
``Kevin Brown is arguably the best pitcher in the game and all I can say is championships are won with pitching.''
Brown's mental toughness and approach to the game also attracted the Dodgers, according to Brown's Newport Beach-based agent, Scott Boras.
``They wanted a mentality that is completely different from the prior ownership,'' Boras said. ``It's not going to be, `Hey dude.' It's going to be, `You better win or walk.' That's what Kevin brings to a locker room.
``Everyone knows the value of a No. 1 pitcher. The premium is Kevin Brown has taken a good club and put it in the World Series.''
The signing was the third by the Dodgers this offseason. They signed center fielder Devon White to a three-year, $12.4 million contract and right-handed reliever Alan Mills to a three-year, $6.5 million deal.
The Dodgers' payroll stands at $71.8 million for 1999, but there are several players eligible for arbitration, which would push the payroll by opening day to approximately $80 million.
SO WHAT DOES $105 MILLION GET YOU
KEVIN BROWN
Born: March 14, 1965.
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 200
Resides: Macon, Ga.
1997: 18-7, 2.38 ERA with Padres
1997 Postseason: 2-2, 2.54 ERA
Career: 139-99, 3.30 ERA, 1480 strikeouts in 2178 1/3 innings
Career Postseason: 4-4 2.75 ERA
Highlights: Helped Florida Marlins to World Series title in 1997 ... Pitched no-hitter June 10, 1997 in 9-0 victory over San Francisco ... Struck out 16 Houston Astros in 1998 Divisional Round playoff game ... Has worked at least 170 innings in each of his 10 full major league seasons ... Considered one of the most dominant pitchers this decade.
THE REACTION
``I'm looking forward to being part of the re-establishment of a winning tradition. I'm excited I will be there to see that happen.''
- Kevin Brown
WHO SAID WHAT . . .
After Kevin Brown signed the first nine-figure salary in baseball history, owners, general managers and members of the baseball community were speaking their minds on the state of payrolls in baseball.
Sandy Alderson - executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office
This is not a good baseball deal. This is not a decision made by a baseball man - I don't believe.
John Moores - San Diego Padres owner
I don't mean to criticize Kevin Brown, but it's a truly tragic day for baseball. It's extraordinary. It confirms my worst fears about what would happen if we let (Rupert) Murdoch buy the Dodgers, and I think it represents a continuation of a very bad series of events in baseball after a spectacular season.
I think the system is at the point of absolutely breaking down. A number of people ought to be held responsible. Not just the agents, but the players' association and the ownership of Major League Baseball. We're on the verge of destroying the competitiveness of many, many ballclubs. Maybe this will be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Davey Johnson - Dodgers manager
I'm sure that when I read the January, February sports magazines, I'm sure they'll have the Dodgers pretty high.
He's my Opening Day pitcher. I don't usually announce it this early. Yes, I'd have to say we're favorites to win the division.
Kevin Malone - Dodgers general manager
If we didn't do it, and that doesn't justify it, but somebody else was going to do it. He's been to the World Series in each of the last two years. The Dodgers haven't been to the World Series since 1988. That's why we've made the seven-year commitment we did.
Kevin Brown is a winning pitcher. Kevin Brown has the ability to take a good team and make it a championship team. Kevin Brown took a team to the World Series in 1997 and was in it again in '98.Kevin Brown is arguably the best pitcher in the game, and all I can say is championships are won with pitching.
Scott Boras - Agent for Kevin Brown
They wanted a mentality that is completely different from the prior ownership. It's not going to be, `Hey dude.' It's going to be, `You better win or walk.' That's what Kevin brings to a locker room. Everyone knows the value of a No. 1 pitcher. The premium is Kevin Brown has taken a good club and put it in the World Series.
Tommy Lasorda - Dodgers senior vice president
I never thought we'd see the day of a $91 million player. There's only one thing certain in baseball - nothing is certain.
Gord Ash - Toronto Blue Jays general manager
What it tells you is money has gotten to the point where it is meaningless. You need other things of value.
NOT-SO-FREE AGENTS
Kevin Brown is not only the biggest free-agent signing of this offseason but the biggest in Dodgers history. Here's a look at some other big Dodgers free-agent acquisitions and impact signings of the past 10 years.
Jan. 29, 1988 Kirk Gibson
Dec. 21, 1989 Hubie Brooks
Nov. 8, 1990 Darryl Strawberry
Dec. 15, 1990 Brett Butler
Dec. 9, 1992 Todd Worrell
Jan. 1, 1994 Chan Ho Park
Feb. 13, 1995 Hideo Nomo
Nov. 30, 1995 Greg Gagne
Dec. 8, 1996 Todd Zeile
Nov. 6, 1998 Devon White
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
CAPTION(S):
3 Photos, 3 Boxes
Photo: (1--Color) The Dodgers won the lottery for free-agent ace Kevin Brown, who was 18-7 with a 2.38 ERA in 1998 with the San Diego Padres.
Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press
(2--Color) KEVIN BROWN
(3) no caption (Kevin Brown)
Box: (1) SO WHAT DOES $105 MILLION GET YOU (See text)
(2) WHO SAID WHAT ... (See text)
(3) NOT-SO-FREE AGENTS (See text)
