Positively negative

First, Raul Mondesi. Then, Gary Sheffield.

It wasn't a good week for the Dodgers.

Mondesi demanded to be traded, blasting manager Davey Johnson and general manager Kevin Malone in a profanity-laced tirade. The outburst was in response to Mondesi's absence from the starting lineup for two games after he arrived late to a team stretching session.

"I'm tired of all this," the right fielder said. "I told my agent to get me ... out of here as soon as possible. I can't take this anymore."

Mondesi said he was no longer willing to play for Johnson and Malone, referring to both with profanities. Mondesi stressed that Malone had better move him soon because he no longer considers himself a member of the Dodgers.

"They're trying to say that all this (the Dodgers' enormously disappointing season) ... is my fault," he said. "If that's the way they feel, fine. Just get me out of here."

Malone is noncommittal about trading Mondesi, 28, who later apologized for his tirade. He is a five-tool player with immense potential. Malone declined to discuss whether Mondesi has cleared waivers, but an industry source says he has. That means the Dodgers could trade him before the August 31 waiver deadline. However, several industry sources say it's unlikely the Dodgers would trade Mondesi until the offseason, if they choose to move him at all.

Some scouts say Mondesi is on a downward slide, but there would be teams lining up to bid for him if Malone. Johnson and team president Bob Graziano believe the damage done by last week's outburst is irreparable.

Part of the early damage was that it appeared to be the last straw for Sheffield, who strewed that he can't continue working in the negative environment. The left fielder said he'll demand a trade unless team officials "make big changes around here" in the offseason.

Sheffield, also discouraged by the club's performance, said the Dodgers should be overhauled because the parts don't fit. He said he has been adversely affected by the upheaval since he joined the team in May 1998 in the Mike Piazza trade.

"I've reached my boiling point with everything going on around here," Sheffield said. "Right now, I've just had it with all the negativity. Ever since I got here, it's just been one thing after another. You just can't do your work with all this stuff going on all the time." --Jason Reid

Arizona

66-51: 1st

Williams returns to old form, makes run for MVP