Malone Has Other Teams Just Where He Wants Them

NAPLES, Fla. — Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone provided examples of his management style last week, moving quickly to address the ballclub’s biggest off-season concerns.

He persuaded all-star closer Jeff Shaw to remain in Los Angeles and then signed veteran free-agent outfielder Devon White to play center field. Malone completed the top items on his to-do list while seemingly improving the team.

Now, Malone joins his 29 counterparts from throughout the major leagues here today for the beginning of the annual general managers’ meetings.

Malone hopes to take advantage of the meetings to continue strengthening the Dodgers.

“This is a good time for all of us to meet and kind of find out what we’re all looking for, what we’re all trying to do, to help improve our clubs for the future,” Malone said.

“The off-season goes by so quickly, and there is so much going on, you have to move quickly to get things done these days.

“That’s why this time of the year is so important. You want to have an idea of what other people are thinking out there, and what they’re trying to accomplish, so it makes sense to meet and do that.”

And the golf courses in these parts aren’t bad.

Of course, there is work to be done. There are items on the agenda to be discussed, typically suggestions about ways of improving the working relationships between clubs and the major league offices.

But the main purpose is to lay the groundwork for free-agent signings and trades that will occur this winter.

Many general managers, including Malone, bring their top advisors to the meetings, where agents also have a strong presence.

The Dodgers, who lost left-hander Brian Bohanon in free agency to the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, have focused their efforts on signing Kevin Brown or Randy Johnson, who are considered the top starting pitchers in the free-agent class. Malone plans to meet with their representatives here this week.

Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi is among those who have already set the tone because of the six-year, $70-million-plus contract the club has offered to free-agent slugger Mo Vaughn.

That package, and others, will be among the hot topics this week.

“There are a lot of things to talk about,” said Bavasi, who declined to discuss the Angels’ off-season plans. “There are a lot of teams with needs and everyone is looking to fill them.”

Being prepared is the key.

“This is a time when you evaluate and you plan strategy, but you have to be ready to jump on something [trades or free-agent acquisitions] if something comes up,” Malone said. “I’m going to have all my guys with me, [farm director] Bill Geivett, [scouting director] Ed Creech and [senior vice president] Tommy [Lasorda], because I want to make sure we’re all on the same page. You really have to be right now.”