DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BALDWIN PRIORITY.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Dodgers right-handed pitcher James Baldwin is 2-6 with a 4.60 ERA. He was acquired to pump life into a starting staff decimated by injuries, but the Dodgers are 2-9 in his starts. It's hardly the type of jolt the Dodgers wanted.

However, Baldwin remains a priority signing in the offseason for the team, sources said, and the free agent-to-be has told several members of the organization he wants to remain in Los Angeles.

The key can be whether the Dodgers can get him for a good price, a possibility given Baldwin has a strong relationship with Dan Evans, who officially will be named general manager in the coming days.

Baldwin, who is 9-11 with a 4.61 ERA with the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox this season, is expected to seek a three-year deal worth approximately $20 million, according to sources, who also said the Dodgers appear willing to pay such a price.

Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said, ideally, the Dodgers would re-sign two of their three free-agent starters - Baldwin, Chan Ho Park and Terry Adams - to help a starting staff that figures to have Kevin Brown and Andy Ashby healthy after surgeries and Luke Prokopec, Eric Gagne and Terry Mulholland in reserve.

``He competes big time and that's what I love about him,'' Tracy said of Baldwin. ``He's out there competing.''

Baldwin has pitched at least six innings and allowed three or less runs in five of his 11 starts. But he also went through a spell in which he lasted a combined 15 innings and allowed 15 runs in three starts, losing all three while the Dodgers were in the thick of a playoff chase.

Baldwin has allowed 10 homers in 72 1/3 innings with the Dodgers.

``The only thing that has hurt J.B. has been the home run ball at the most inopportune times,'' Tracy said. ``It's the only thing that's got him. When he's right, he's throwing a lot of strikes and getting a lot of ground balls. He's a great guy to play behind if you're a defensive player because he gets the ball and throws it, and throws strikes. That's the best kind of guy to play defense behind.''

--Orosco's future: Jesse Orosco was out of baseball, cut during the final days before the season and not brought back until then-general manager Kevin Malone re-signed him in late April.

Orosco's future again is unclear, but he would like to return to the Dodgers next season.

``I believe I'm throwing the ball better than I have in a while,'' he said. ``I think next year I could pitch two innings of relief. I don't think that would be a problem. I'd like it to be here (with the Dodgers). I'm not sure how many opportunities I'll have.''

Orosco, 44, is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA. He has been the Dodgers' only situational lefty much of the season and left-handers are batting .275 (14 for 51) against him with two homers and 12 RBI.

--Odds and ends: Major-league special adviser Dan Evans could be introduced as the Dodgers' next general manager as early as today, a source said. Evans and team chairman Bob Daly began negotiations on a contract Monday. ... The Dodgers' offensive struggles were everywhere in September but felt the most in the middle of the lineup where left fielder Gary Sheffield batted .216 with one homer and six RBI. ... Shortstop Alex Cora didn't have an RBI in September and he is batting .175 since Aug. 1. ... San Diego lefty Jose Nunez, who spent the first five weeks of the season with the Dodgers, going 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in six games, is 4-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 53 games with the Padres.

DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO

Time: 7:05 p.m., at Qualcomm Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Dodgers management wants to get a further look at LH Terry Mulholland (1-4, 4.88 ERA) as a starter to assess their position with him for next season, so he opens the three-game series with the Padres. Mulholland has made two starts with the Dodgers, allowing five earned runs in nine innings. He is 10-12 with a 4.57 ERA in 34 career games against San Diego. The Padres start RH Brian Lawrence (5-4, 3.03). Wednesday - TBA vs. Padres RH Bobby Jones (8-18, 5.05); Thursday - Dodgers RH James Baldwin (2-6, 4.60) vs. Padres RH Jason Middlebrook (1-1, 6.75).

- Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO (see text)