DODGERS MUM ON SALE : IF THERE ARE ANY TAKERS FOR FRANCHISE PACKAGE, NO ONE'S SAYING.

Byline: Eric Noland Daily News Staff Writer

No caravans of well-heeled looky-loos are seen trooping through the place, flushing toilets and inspecting the infield grass for root rot.

Out in Elysian Park, no one is measuring the Stadium Way signs to see if they're big enough to accommodate Lucasfilm THX Home Theatre Systems Stadium Way.

Nearly three months to the day since Dodgers president Peter O'Malley jolted the sports world by announcing he was putting the family-owned, family-operated and hugely successful Dodgers franchise up for sale, there seems to be little evidence that the sale effort is speeding toward escrow.

National League senior vice president Katy Feeney said that Major League Baseball's ownership committee, which has to approve the sale, has not yet been contacted to begin checking into the financing of any prospective buyers.

As for such issues as the number of bidders in the field and an asking price for the team, the stadium and various land holdings, little information is forthcoming. Much of that is by design, as the Dodgers appear intent on keeping a tight lid on the proceedings.

Executive vice president Bob Graziano, recently promoted from vice president of finance and the club's point man on the deal, politely declined comment on a wide range of issues, even the most fundamental.

``On Jan. 6,'' Graziano said, ``Peter said he was going to try to conduct the sale in a dignified manner while keeping the focus on the team and on the field for the 1997 season. So we're not reporting on the progress or anything at this point. We don't want to until we have something to report.''

Meanwhile, one official close to the matter said the proceedings could be impacted by the NFL's stated determination to plant an expansion team in Los Angeles.

O'Malley originally voiced interest in being a part of that effort, including the construction of a football stadium on the 300-plus acres O'Malley owns in Elysian Park, but he backed off when local government leaders elected to designate the Coliseum as their stadium of choice. But the NFL has harbored a historic disaffection for the Coliseum.

``What happens in the football situation could have something to do with the for-sale sign staying out on the lawn,'' the official said.

Graziano, however, argued otherwise.

``We suspended our efforts to give the Coliseum every opportunity to convince the city of Los Angeles and the NFL that it is a viable venue for professional football,'' he said. ``I know we're still at that position. We're supporting the Coliseum's efforts and aren't going to do anything to distract from that.

``We're conducting business here. . . . The football issue will not impact the sale.''

The listing includes the franchise, which is a National League jewel with a robust fan following; Dodger Stadium and its surrounding acreage just north of downtown Los Angeles; the club's vast spring training and minor-league facility in Vero Beach, Fla., and Campo Las Palmas, the Dodgers' baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. Estimates for the package have ranged from $200 million to $500 million.

Although O'Malley originally said the sale process could take six months, Graziano said, ``I think it'd be too early to tell exactly how long it's going to take.''

Asked if a deal might be closed at some point during the six-month baseball season, he would say only, ``It's possible.''

In the event the issue heats up at some point during the season, Dodgers management, while trying to keep the public focus on the game action, can only hope the attention of the players doesn't stray to the boardroom.

Asked if he was concerned about minds wandering and adversely affecting play, executive vice president Fred Claire said, ``I'm really not, because the way it's been structured, it really is a separate group. There's a law firm and an investment banker and an accounting firm. That's good, because my attention isn't there, nor is the attention of the manager and the coaches.''

As for the players, who might fret over their job security or impending contract negotiations once the management philosophy of a prospective new regime is identified, Claire said, ``I think that really is a nonissue.

``The player always realizes that there could be a move (a trade or other transaction). He lives with that every day. I would think that would be the least of his concerns.''

The key factor, Claire added, is that the Dodgers already have demonstrated that their business will be conducted as it always has been.

In the wake of O'Malley's announcement, for example, it would have been understandable if the Dodgers had steered away from long-term deals for such star players as Mike Piazza and Eric Karros. Instead, Karros was signed to a four-year contract just two days after the announcement, while Piazza agreed to a two-year deal 13 days later.

Total Dodgers commitment: $35 million.

``There has not been one change, not even a small thing, that anybody could see different here,'' Claire said recently from Vero Beach. ``And there won't be during the season - how we travel, what takes place . . . budgets, procedures - because Peter recognizes that none of that can be changed (in order for us) to operate the business as we normally do.''

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Photo

Photo: The Dodgers franchise package, which includes Dodger Stadium, has been estimated to be worth between $200 million and $500 million.

Daily News File Photo