ALOU IS THE FIRST CASUALTY OF MARLINS' BUDGET BITE.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Two weeks after winning the World Series, the 5-year-old Florida Marlins started gutting their high-priced roster, trading outfielder Moises Alou to the Houston Astros on Tuesday for two minor-league pitchers and a player to be named.

Alou, who signed a $25 million, five-year contract last December, led the wild-card Marlins with 23 home runs and 115 RBI. He was swapped for Oscar Henriquez and Manuel Barrios, two 23-year-old right-handers.

Revolving door: Ray Miller became the Orioles' fourth manager in five years, six days after American League Manager of the Year Davey Johnson ended a running quarrel with owner Peter Angelos by resigning.

``Mr. Angelos guaranteed he would do everything in the world to keep this club competitive and in a position to win,'' said Miller, Baltimore's pitching coach under Johnson.

Managing a denial: Tom Lasorda, rumored last week to be interested in managing the Orioles, said he absolutely will not return to a major-league dugout.

Lasorda, the former Dodgers manager, was elected to the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee last March, but only after stressing he had managed his final game. After reports surfaced that Lasorda was interested in the Orioles, committee member Yogi Berra questioned whether Lasorda should remain in the Hall.

``Let me tell you something - if Yogi would have talked to me, he would have known I wasn't interested in any job,'' Lasorda said. ``I don't want to manage anymore.''

Shoring up: The San Francisco Giants, who traded their way to a National League West title last season, acquired third baseman Charlie Hayes from the New York Yankees for two minor-leaguers. As part of the deal, the Yankees reportedly will pay the Giants $1.6 million to cover Hayes' entire salary in 1998.

The Yankees got outfielder Chris Singleton and left-hander Alberto Castillo in trade.

Also: Tampa Bay Devil Rays acquired outfielder Mike Kelly from the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks dealt with the Reds for ex-Dodgers right-hander Felix Rodriguez. Both deals were for players to be announced.