DODGERS, SHAW WORKING ON NEW MULTIYEAR DEAL.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Dodgers closer Jeff Shaw is expected to demand a trade before the Nov. 5 deadline, even as the club works toward an agreement on a new multiyear contract.

Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone has spoken to Shaw's Cincinnati-based agent Joe Bick several times in the past few days and both seemed optimistic about reaching a new deal that could be worth almost $4.5 million per season.

Malone flew Wednesday to the Dodgers spring-training camp in Vero Beach for four days of organizational meetings.

Shaw, who had 25 of his 48 saves after being traded from the Reds at the All-Star break, has three years left on his existing deal at $2.8 million.

Texas' John Wetteland is baseball's highest-paid closer at $5.5 million per season. The Giants' Robb Nen makes $4.5 million and the Cubs' Rod Beck $4 million.

The demand is more procedural, even though Shaw has said he would like to play closer to his home outside Cincinnati. But in most cases, the contract is renegotiated and the demand is dropped.

A player moved during a multiyear contract can demand to be traded after the first season with the new club. If he is not traded, he can become a free agent March 15.

``In the final analysis, he signed the contract he signed because it was close to their permanent residence,'' Bick said. ``If it was Los Angeles or Seattle or Pittsburgh, I think he certainly would want to be paid his true market value, which he is not.

``This is not a condemnation of Los Angeles, not at all. Jeff enjoyed it there.''

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PHOTO JEFF SHAW

The Dodger reliever has three years remaining on a $2.8M deal.