DODGERS ADD A MIDDLE MAN; RELIEVER MILLS GETS THREE-YEAR CONTRACT TO HELP SET UP SHAW.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

The Dodgers continued to stockpile right-handed relief pitchers Friday, signing Baltimore free agent Alan Mills to a three-year contract worth $6.5 million.

General manager Kevin Malone already has Antonio Osuna and added Mel Rojas during the recently completed GM meetings in Naples, Fla.

But Osuna is coming off elbow surgery and Rojas has pitched poorly the past two seasons after saving 36 games in 1996 at Montreal.

Mills played with the Orioles when Malone was assistant general manager and Davey Johnson, now with the Dodgers, was the manager.

Mills will make $1.25 million this season, $2.25 million in 2000 and $3 million in 2001. Osuna, who could be traded in spring training if he recovers from surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow, will make $1.05 million next year.

Rojas, acquired Wednesday from the New York Mets for Bobby Bonilla, will make $4.6 million in 1999.

Despite trading and inquiring about big names at the GM meetings, Malone says adding depth to the middle and setup relief roles was a priority this winter.

He does not want to see a repeat of the late-season meltdown by closer Jeff Shaw because of overwork, especially after giving Shaw an $18.5 million contract extension two weeks ago.

``We acquired one of the premier setup men in baseball with the signing of Alan Mills,'' Malone said. ``He is a proven and experienced reliever with quality pitches who thrives on situations with the game on the line.''

Mills, 32, is a nine-year veteran. He pitched 72 games for the Orioles last season, going 3-4 with a 3.90 ERA and 13 saves.

With the right-handers covered, the Dodgers front office, which is meeting this weekend at their spring training base in Vero Beach, Fla., now shifts its attention to getting left-handed relief.

At the top of the list is Baltimore's ageless Jesse Orosco, who pitched for the Dodgers during their 1988 World Series championship season.

The club also is attempting to re-sign its own free agent left-hander, Scott Radinsky, who was erratic this past season after pitching brilliantly in 1996 and '97.

Radinsky was forced to move into the Dodgers' closer's role when Osuna began the season poorly. Radinsky blew 11 save opportunities, second worst in the National League, but went 3-2 with a save and 1.93 ERA after the club acquired Shaw from Cincinnati at the All-Star break.

Radinsky, who lives in Simi Valley, also is being courted by the New York Yankees. He will be 31 on Opening Day.

Notes: Reserve infielder Juan Castro avoided salary arbitration by agreeing Thursday to a two-year contract worth $725,000. Castro, who will earn $325,000 next season and $400,000 in 2000, was mentioned this past week in trade talks with the Cincinnati Reds involving the Dodgers' Raul Mondesi for shortstop Barry Larkin and outfielder Reggie Sanders. Malone reaffirmed Friday that the trade never went beyond the discussion stage.

NEW LEAGUE

Career statistics for Alan Mills, who was signed by the Dodgers on Friday:

Year Team IP W-L SO ERA

1990 NYY  41.2 1-5 24 4.10

1991 NYY 16.1 1-1 11 4.41

1992 Bal 103.1 10-4 60 2.61

1993 Bal 100.1 5-4 68 3.23

1994 Bal 45.1 3-3 44 5.16

1995 Bal 23.0 3-0 16 7.43

1996 Bal 54.2 3-2 50 4.28

1997 Bal 38.2 2-3 32 4.89

1998 Bal 77.0 3-4 57 3.74

Totals 500.1 31-26 362 3.90

MALONE METER

Rating moves made by Dodgers GM Kevin Malone.

Thursday: signed right-handed reliever Alan Mills.

Our Rating: Double

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, 2 Boxes

Photo: (1--Color) Alan Mills

(2) Alan Mills, left, is well acquainted with Dodgers GM Kevin Malone and manager Davey Johnson from their days with the Orioles.

Linda Kaye/Associated Press

Box: (1) NEW LEAGUE (See Text)

(2) MALONE METER (See Text)