DODGERS: COULD BE QUITE A CATCH DODGERS INTERESTED IN ALOMAR TO HELP NAVARRO.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

DALLAS - The Dodgers are close to signing free-agent catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to a one-year contract. The 18-year major-league veteran and six-time All-Star who is in the twilight of his career would replace Paul Bako as the club's backup catcher, but his primary responsibility would be to assist in the development of Dioner Navarro, the promising young catcher who will get most of the starts next season.

Just before returning to Los Angeles from baseball's winter meetings on Thursday, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said the club was close to signing a backup catcher but declined to name the player.

``We're almost there,'' Colletti said. ``We need somebody who will play once or twice a week as well as be a mentor for (Navarro). I think we're going to get a guy like that.''

John Boggs, Alomar's agent, confirmed on Thursday that he has had recent discussions with Dodgers officials concerning Alomar. But Boggs declined to say much beyond that, and he still might be talking to other clubs about Alomar.

Meanwhile, in his effort to bolster the Dodgers starting rotation, Colletti has turned his attention at least partly to Toronto right-hander Miguel Batista. Acquiring Batista might be a long shot because the Blue Jays are seeking to upgrade their offense, and the Dodgers don't have a significant bat with which they can afford to part, except outfielder Milton Bradley, whom the Blue Jays are said to have no interest.

Free agent Bill Mueller still is at the top of the Dodgers' third-base wish list, but no deal appears imminent. Without naming names, Colletti seemed to hint that celebrated prospect Andy LaRoche might be ready to come to the big leagues and play every day despite never having played above Double-A.

``You have to be willing to give some younger players a chance,'' said Colletti, who added he wouldn't be opposed to having as many as three or four rookies on the opening-day roster.

Mostly, the Dodgers want Alomar for his experience and expertise, primarily so he can share it with Navarro. Alomar is a former Gold Glove catcher, and Navarro is defensively gifted but raw.

The rifle-armed Navarro, who will turn 22 just before the start of spring training, was recalled for good on July 29 - after an earlier big-league stint that lasted all of four days and included zero playing time - and immediately assumed the everyday catching role for what might be the foreseeable future.

In 50 games, he committed just two errors and three passed balls, and although he threw out only 19.5 percent (8 for 41) of runners who attempted to steal on him, his mere presence behind the plate meant opposing clubs ran less frequently after stealing virtually at will against Bako and Jason Phillips.

The light-hitting Navarro also was surprisingly productive at the plate, batting .273 with a .354 on-base percentage while walking almost as many times (20) as he struck out (21).

Catcher Jason Phillips, who is eligible for arbitration for the first time after making $339,000 last year, will be traded if the Dodgers can make a deal. If not, he will be non-tendered and become a free agent.

Colletti was non-committal on the subject of Phillips' future.

``We'll see,'' he said.

Batista, who made his major-league debut with Pittsburgh in 1992, will turn 35 in February and was an unimpressive 5-8 with a 4.10 ERA for the Blue Jays last season. He also is due $4.75 million in 2006, the final season of a three-year, $13.1 million contract, after which he will be eligible for free agency.

--Also: Former Dodgers third baseman Jose Valentin signed a minor-league contract with the New York Mets and was invited to their big-league camp.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com