CLAIRE RULES OUT WILD SPENDING IN '98.

Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer

It has been 2-1/2 weeks since his team's 1997 season ended a bit earlier than expected, and finding a shortstop is foremost on Fred Claire's mind.

The Dodgers executive vice president sat in his office and spoke of how much he likes his team for 1998. Claire dispelled fantasies, talked expansion draft, addressed topics from Billy Ashley to Bill Russell and even expressed hope for a more steadfast approach to a common goal next spring training.

Talk of improving the team by outside means led to the combustion of one fantasy. There has been much speculation that Fox's impending ownership of the team will mean extra millions available for landing players such as Pedro Martinez and Mo Vaughn. Claire is not anticipating spending much of Rupert Murdoch's money just yet.

``I do not see any change in our budget from 1997 to 1998,'' Claire said. ``The marching order I have is to recognize where we were with regards to payroll in 1997 and plan for a same or very similar structure in '98. It gives me at least the boundaries to make my decisions. That's the reality. I think it is important for our fans to understand the business part of the game, because it all ties in.''

The Dodgers' payroll in 1997 was about $43.5 million. Big chunks of that payroll were cleared by Gagne's departure ($3 million) and that of closer Todd Worrell ($3.75 million). But numerous Dodgers will make substantially more in 1998 than they did last season.

Claire said he is ``interested'' in retaining the services of center fielder Otis Nixon and left fielder Darren Lewis, both acquired in late-season trades and both free agents. Nixon hit .274 and stole 12 bases in 42 games with the Dodgers. Lewis batted .299 in 26 games after being acquired Aug. 28.

Claire will attend the middle three games of the World Series, where he will compare needs and wants with some fellow general managers.

It seems to be a foregone conclusion in many circles that Eric Karros will be used in some sort of trade in order to make room for Paul Konerko at first base. Claire neither defuses nor fuels such speculation. While Claire seems unafraid to make Konerko his first baseman (or third baseman), he is aware what that entails.

``Is a player ready to hit and produce at the major-league level?'' Claire asked rhetorically. ``The only way that ever gets answered is for that player to have the opportunity. I'd have to say there's no reason to fear giving (Konerko) the opportunity. He's put himself into a position that I wouldn't have any concerns.''

Konerko, numerous publications' minor-league player of the year after a stellar season at Triple-A Albuquerque in '97, will work on his questionable fielding skills at third base playing for La Romana in the Dominican winter league the next few months.

Meanwhile, Claire will try to assess Konerko's readiness to replace Karros' yearly average of 33 home runs and 107 RBI or Todd Zeile's capable play at third base and 1997 totals of 31 homers and 90 RBI.

``We have to decide what's going to give us the best chance for 1998,'' Claire said.

Claire is also preparing for the Nov. 18 expansion draft, in which the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays will select three players from each team. Teams must submit the list of 15 players they will protect in early November. (The lists, which are to be kept confidential, are due Nov. 7 if the World Series lasts just four games and Nov. 11 if the Series goes five games or more.)

There is no official list yet, though Claire has been drafting and re-drafting tentative lists for months. By the end of the month, the Dodgers will finalize the list of 15 as well as develop contingencies for the other six players they will protect (three after each round of the first two rounds). Claire believes the Dodgers will be able to predict, down to a pool of seven or eight, which players the expansion teams will choose.

One player it has been apparent for some time won't be a Dodger next season is Ashley, who went from starting candidate in spring training to ignored bench player by midseason.

After hitting a National League-leading five pinch-hit home runs in '96, Ashley hit just two in 1997 and was all but invisible the season's final two months. Claire met with Ashley last week, thanking the frustrated outfielder for the ``professional'' way he handled this past season and pledging to work on getting him to a place where he will be happy.

``If there is an opportunity that makes sense for us to put Billy in a position to get more at-bats, I told Billy we'd be open to that,'' Claire said. ``He hasn't had the at-bats he needs to have. I'm sensitive to that. If the right move is there we would make that move.''

Someone who will be around, Claire said unequivocally, is Russell.

Another fantasy, among some vocal groups of fans, is Russell's first full year as Dodgers manager would be his last. Russell has a 123-95 record since taking over for Tom Lasorda in the middle of the '96 season.

``I think Bill did a good job,'' Claire said. ``I think in his first full season as a manager . . . there was a lot to learn from. He will be much better prepared going into 1998. Until you have an opportunity to manage a team, to evaluate the team, it's difficult to take the next step.''

One thing Claire hopes is gone is talk, of which he hinted there has been too much the past few springs. That confident talk came from players, the manager and even a little from Claire himself. The Dodgers were certain they were going to be postseason participants again this past season, and they were not shy about saying it.

Claire hopes this spring is different.

``When you fail to get where you expected to get to,'' he said, ``you need to kind of take the attitude of, `We have something to prove,' and leave it at that.''

THE SHORT LIST

The departure of Greg Gagne leaves the Dodgers' first order of business to find a shortstop. Here are the candidates for Fred Claire to ponder this offseason:

Wilton Guerrero: Played a lot of second base last season as a rookie and hit .291 in 111 games, but he also spent time in Triple-A Albuquerque. His future depends on the Dodgers resigning free agent Eric Young as the second baseman.

Juan Castro: Batted .145 in 75 at-bats with the Dodgers this season.

Alex Cora: Played at Double-A San Antonio last year. May also be the organization's best fielder.

Jay Bell: A free agent after hitting .291 with 21 homers and 92 RBI in 153 games with Kansas City last year.

Jose Vizcaino: A former Dodgers prospect, now a free agent who hit .266 in 151 games with San Francisco last year.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: CASTRO

Box: THE SHORT LIST (see text)