BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: DODGERS START NEGOTIATIONS FOR ISHII.

Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services

The Dodgers and the agent for Japanese left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii began contract negotiations Monday but the sides were far apart and not close to finalizing a deal, baseball officials said.

It is believed Ishii's agent, Joe Urbon of Octagon, is seeking a three-year deal worth $10 million, but the Dodgers first discussions of contract parameters were well below that, sources said.

Both sides are hoping for quick negotiations, but the first day of talks could mean a longer timetable for reaching an agreement. However, both sides remain optimistic a deal will be worked out before the Feb. 8 deadline.

The Dodgers won exclusive negotiating rights to Ishii last week by bidding $11.26 million for the Japanese Central League star. Ishii was went 78-46 with a 3.38 ERA and 1,266 strikeouts in 1,173 1/3 innings in his career with the Swallows.

- Brian Dohn

--F. Robby could manage: Frank Robinson could become manager or general manager of the Montreal Expos as part of the musical chairs of owners that teams are likely to set in motion this week.

Robinson, hired by Cleveland in 1975 as baseball's first black manager, is baseball's vice president in charge of discipline. He could be asked to be Montreal's manager or general manager.

Expos owner Jeffrey Lurie is expected give up the Montreal franchise in order to purchase the Florida Marlins from John Henry, who is expected to gain control of the Boston Red Sox.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Atlanta businessman Donald Watkins called Twins management, starting a process that could make him the first black controlling owner of a major-league baseball team.

--A's, Rangers trade prospects: Texas Rangers general manager John Hart felt he got enough in a six-player trade with the Oakland Athletics to part with top prospect Carlos Pena.

The A's got Pena, a potential replacement at first base for former AL MVP Jason Giambi, and left-handed reliever Mike Venafro. The Rangers took four minor-leaguers, including left-handed pitcher Mario Ramos and Jason Hart, like Pena a prospect at first base.

Ramos was Oakland's minor league player of the year after going 16-4 with a 3.10 ERA in 28 starts last season at Double-A Midland and Triple-A Sacramento. The 24-year-old Hart was Oakland's sixth-round pick in the June 1999 amateur draft.