DODGERS' GM POST - PERKS, PROBLEMS.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN

There are two patterns of thought, and in the hunt for a new general manager the Dodgers certainly are entertaining the one that would seem curious to many.

Though Oakland's Billy Beane is their first choice and Cleveland's John Hart also is high on their list, there is a sentiment within the organization to go with a young, non-established general manager who wouldn't want to gut the front office, gut the scouting department, gut the minor-league system and replace the manager with his own choice.

But whoever replaces the ousted Kevin Malone is hardly walking into an ideal situation, despite the Fox Group's supposed endless resources and financial commitment.

In fact, the new general manager of the Dodgers, whomever that might be, will face a roster with limited flexibility and $236 million worth of guaranteed contracts to seven players that run through the 2005 season.

Shawn Green will have four years and $60 million remaining on his contract after the season. Kevin Brown will have $60 million, four years. Gary Sheffield has $31.5 million and three years, Darren Dreifort has $44 million and four years, Andy Ashby has $15.5 million and two years, Eric Karros has $14.5 million and two years and Mark Grudzielanek has $10.5 million and two years.

The new general manager faces $79.45 million of guaranteed salary tied into 12 players for the 2002 season, with several enormous decisions to follow that could increase the payroll substantially.

He will face the prospect of having to sign Chan Ho Park, eligible for free agency, and that could run more than $100 million.

He will face the prospect of trying to sign free-agent-to-be center fielder Johnny Damon, currently in Oakland. Damon is a client of agent Scott Boras, whose influence in the Dodgers organization is noted.

He will face the dilemma of having center fielders Tom Goodwin and Marquis Grissom guaranteed $7.25 million between them next season, though neither are full-time players.

He will face a minor-league system that doesn't have a bundle of prospects at the Double-A and Triple-A levels, and therefore the depth needed to compete at the major-league level is a problem.

In short, rebuilding an organization's much-damaged image will take more than a few well-timed phrases and the proper Dodgerspeak that again makes the position of general manager one of dignity and respectability. Carrying oneself with honor won't be enough, especially if a decision is made to trade one or more of the high-profile players to help the club at a different level.

The Dodgers could get Beane from Oakland or Hart from Cleveland or Brian Cashman from the Yankees, though sources said Cashman's name is being floated to get a raise out of George Steinbrenner. Cashman's contract expires after the season.

It will take time because the Dodgers' situation - thanks to their high- priced, long-term contracts that pushed their payroll to $109 million at the start of this season - needs to be sorted out. Their pitching is so good they might win the National League West. Their pitching is so good it might be dominant enough in the playoffs.

But their offense is suspect, particularly at leadoff. It's so suspect that fixing it, coupled with the possible signing of Park, might force the Dodgers to remake their roster next offseason unless they want to push their payroll to $125 million.

In some respects, the Dodgers' general-manager position remains one of the most desired positions in baseball.

In others, particularly because of the contracts and the state of the minor-league system, it's one that could scare folks away.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) JOHN HART

(2) BILLY BEANE