DODGERS : Team Cuts Payroll $10 Million

VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Dodgers renewed the contracts of their 30 unsigned major league players, the club confirmed Sunday, and have a tentative payroll of $28.5 million for their 25-man roster.

The Dodgers’ payroll when the strike ends will be their lowest since 1990 and about $10 million less than last year’s $38.8 million budget.

“I really don’t visualize any drastic swings from the way it is now,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “There’s just too many things that have happened to us, and the thing that carries the most weight is the tremendous loss of income.

“The longer the strike goes on, the greater the economic impact is.”

The Dodgers were able to trim $13.95 million in salaries alone from eight players who no longer are on their roster: Darryl Strawberry ($3 million), Orel Hershiser ($3 million), Kevin Gross ($2.7 million), Jim Gott ($1.8 million), Cory Snyder ($1.5 million), Roger McDowell ($1.35 million) and Mitch Webster ($600,000). They also reduced their payroll by another $1.8 million because of a $1.8-million pay cut for third baseman Tim Wallach.

The departures and Wallach’s pay cut more than offset the significant raises the Dodgers are scheduled to pay: Todd Worrell, $4.25 million ($2.25 million increase); first baseman Eric Karros, $2.35 million ($1.7 million increase); shortstop Jose Offerman, $1.6 million ($985,000 increase); and starting pitcher Tom Candiotti, $4.2 million ($800,000 increase).

“Every decision on a contract now,” Claire said, “will be more important than they’ve ever been.”

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Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo will open the season in triple-A Albuquerque, the Dodgers said Sunday. Nomo is scheduled to pitch off a mound this week and probably will pitch in a minor league game in two weeks. “He hasn’t been on a mound, and opening day is three weeks away,” Claire said. “We’re not going to push him.” . . . Even if Nomo were ready to pitch, he’s prohibited from pitching in a major league game until the strike ends. . . . Think the Dodgers are serious about their replacement team? It is scheduled to pose for the official Dodger team picture today.

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1995 Dodger Tendered Salaries

*Todd Worrell: $4.25 million

*Tom Candiotti: $4.2 million

Brett Butler: $3.5 million

*Delino DeShields: $3.0 million

Ramon Martinez: $2.956 million

*Eric Karros: $2.35 million

*Jose Offerman: $1.6 million

*Tim Wallach: $1.5 million

*Mike Piazza: $900,000

*Jeff Treadway: $500,000

*Dave Hansen: $500,000

Carlos Hernandez: $500,000

Pedro Astacio: $406,250

*Al Osuna: $375,000

Henry Rodriguez: $221,250

Raul Mondesi: $175,000

Omar Daal: $175,000/$105,000

Ismael Valdes: $115,000/$40,200

Chan Ho Park: $115,000/$30,500

Antonio Osuna: $115,000/$15,000

Darren Dreifort: $115,000/$50,600

Greg Hansell: $115,000/$31,000

Todd Hollandsworth: $115,000/$15,000

Rafael Bournigal: $115,000/74,100

Billy Ashley: $115,000/45,000

Ed Vosberg: $115,000/$33,600

Felix Rodriguez: $115,000/$30,500

Jose Parra: $115,000/30,500

Garey Ingram: $115,000/$33,200

Rick Gorecki: $115,000/$15,000

Roberto Duran: $115,000/$15,000

Jesus Martinez: $115,000/$15,000

Todd Williams: $115,000/$30,500

Miguel Cairo: $115,000/15,000

Juan Castro: $115,000/$15,000

Ron Coomer: $115,000/$30,500

Willis Otanez: $115,000/$15,000

Eddie Pye: $115,000/$32,000

Reggie Williams: $115,000/$30,500

* signed for 1995

Lower figure for minor league contract