As the Dodgers focus on improving their starting pitching, they have expressed interest in free agent Brad Radke, the longtime workhorse of the Minnesota Twins.
Radke, 32, went 11-8 last season and ranked fourth in the American League with a 3.48 earned-run average. He has pitched at least 200 innings in nine of the last 10 seasons.
The Twins reportedly have offered Radke a two-year, $14-million contract. Ron Simon, the agent for Radke, confirmed the Dodgers' interest and said a bid of "two or three years" would be required. The Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Philadelphia Phillies also are interested, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
"He'll look at everything," Simon said.
Simon also said the Angels had not been in touch, despite their interest in adding a starter and Radke's success in Anaheim -- 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA.
Dodger General Manager Paul DePodesta said he had contacted the agents for "between 10 and 15" free-agent pitchers. Free agents can negotiate with teams other than their current one starting next Friday.
In addition to starting pitching, DePodesta reiterated that catcher and third base are priorities. He has expressed interest in third baseman Troy Glaus, abandoned by the Angels in free agency, as an option should Adrian Beltre not return. With Beltre and agent Scott Boras planning to solicit offers from other teams, DePodesta has yet to make one of his own.
"They're unable to create any definition for the marketplace yet in terms of dollars," DePodesta said. "It's going to take weeks, for sure."
DePodesta also said he has not ruled out bringing back any of the Dodgers' other free agents. That list includes outfielder Steve Finley, infielder Jose Hernandez, catcher Brent Mayne and pitchers Wilson Alvarez, Jose Lima, Odalis Perez, Hideo Nomo and Paul Shuey.
In addition, DePodesta said outfielder Milton Bradley has begun the anger management counseling he promised to seek in September, after an incident in which he threw a plastic bottle into the stands in the section from which the bottle had been thrown toward him.
"I don't think he's completed it," DePodesta said. "We feel comfortable with the steps he's been taking." DePodesta declined to elaborate.
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Manager Jim Tracy said he anticipated reaching agreement on a new contract with the Dodgers within a few days.
"We're heading in the right direction," Tracy said. "I'm very hopeful we can get something done early next week."
