Dodgers “Hold on, Chan-Ho“

The LA Dodgers jumped into the competition to hold Park Chan-Ho.

The Dodgers requested the arbitration on free agent Park Chan-Ho (28) to the executive office of the major league and the labor union of players. Players offered arbitration should notify the former club until 20th whether he would accept the offer or not, and both sides can negotiate the salary until January 9th, next year. If both sides fail to reach an agreement, the arbitration committee decides the fate of Park.

The Dodgers did not offer arbitration to free agent starters Terry Adams and James Baldwin, and closer Jeff Shaw, meaning they probably won`t return next season, because the club cannot sign these players until next May.

General Manager Dan Evans suggested that he might re-sign Park, saying that he was interested in only Park, considered the top starter among the free agents.

The fact that the Dodgers offered the arbitration to Park means, on the one hand, that the club opened the gate to negotiate for re-sign. And on the other hand, it might try to receive draft compensation for him.

By making Park an offer before Friday`s deadline, in case that Park signs to other team, the Dodgers would receive two draft compensation such as draft No. 1 from the team to which Park would move.

Anyway, Park has more opportunities now. Park could stay in the Dodgers, or could move to another club. Currently, he is expected to sign to another club. It is known that Park`s representative Scott Boras has been in active contact with several teams such as the New York Mets and the New York Yankees.

Park`s future will be decided in the winter meeting of the general managers which will be held at Boston during 10th and 14th.

Kim Sang-Soo ssoo@donga.com