LOS ANGELES -- Shortstop Mark Grudzielanek, who last season had the highest batting average for a National League shortstop in 63 years, agreed to an $18 million, four-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.

The deal also includes a club option for 2004. Grudzielanek, who was eligible for arbitration, made $1.9 million last year, his first full season with the Dodgers.

	Park

	Grudzielanek

Grudzielanek, 29, led Los Angeles with a .326 batting average in 1999, a record for a Dodgers' shortstop and the best mark for a NL player at the position since Pittsburgh Arky Vaughn batted .335 in 1936.

"I am excited about the long-term commitment that we have made to Mark and that he has made to the Dodgers," Los Angeles general manager Kevin Malone said. "His attitude, competitiveness, dedication to the team and winning were major factors in our decision."

In 123 games, Grudzielanek contributed seven homers and 46 RBI. After missing 28 games while on the disabled list from June 4 to July 5, he batted .342 following the All-Star break and established career highs with 31 walks and five triples.

A shaky fielder earlier in his career, Grudzielanek improved his defense last season and made only 13 errors, the third-fewest total in the NL. He made more than 30 errors in both 1997 and 1998.

However, Grudzielanek has said he would be agreeable to move to second base to replace Eric Young, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs. That would allow the Dodgers to plug in either Alex Cora, Juan Castro or Jose Vizcaino at shortstop.

"Along with his strong offensive accomplishments and his defensive improvement, we are confident that Mark will continue to contribute to this organization in many mays," Malone said.

On July 31, 1998, Grudzielanek was acquired in a seven-player trade with the Montreal Expos. In five major league seasons, he has a .288 career average with 144 doubles, 28 homers and 228 RBI.

In 1997, he belted 54 doubles to set an NL record for shortstops and tie Alex Rodriguez's major league mark for the position.

The year before, Grudzielanek batted .306 with 201 hits and 33 stolen bases, becoming the first shortstop since Honus Wagner to hit .300, collect 200 hits and steal at least 30 bases in a season.

In other moves Tuesday, the Dodgers avoided arbitration with four players by signing pitchers Chan Ho Park ($3.8 million), Dan Naulty ($475,000) and Terry Adams ($1.4 million) and third baseman Kevin Orie ($600,000) to one-year deals.

Outfielder Trenidad Hubbard agreed to a $300,000, one-year contract, then refused an outright assignment to the minors and became a free agent.

Park, 26, posted a 13-11 record with a 5.23 ERA in 33 starts last season for the Dodgers. He ranked 10th in the NL in strikeouts with 174 and won seven of his last eight decisions.

The Dodgers have no arbitration eligible players entering the 2000 season.