DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BELTRE'S AGENT PLANNING STRATEGY.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

VERO BEACH, Fla. - With negotiations ongoing and the possibility of a grievance hearing, the agent for Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre continues to focus a few steps ahead.

If negotiations fail, and if arbitrator Shyam Das rules against Beltre's request to become a free agent, the next move could be a court battle.

``It's certainly a possibility,'' said Scott Boras, Beltre's agent. ``It's a door that's open after the arbitrator rules.''

But both sides would like to have the matter concluded before it reaches Das. Boras and Bob Daly, managing general partner and CEO of the Dodgers, flew here together Monday and discussed the situation.

Armed with a portfolio comparing Beltre's first full season of major- league baseball against the best players in the game, as well as the top third basemen of all time, Boras and Daly met again Tuesday.

Included in the information Boras gave to Daly was how Beltre, 20, performed last season in comparison to the first full season of players who made $5 million or more in a season. Beltre's first full season offensive numbers - .275 average, 15 homers, 67 RBI, 18 stolen bases - is better than most, including Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin and Shawn Green. Beltre made $220,000 last season.

Beltre is requesting to become a free agent because he was signed at age 15, violating major-league rules. Commissioner Bud Selig denied that request in December, but the players association filed a grievance.

Both sides said the negotiations were in the preliminary stage and they appear far apart. At the crux of the negotiations starting point is the Dodgers' chance of losing Beltre. Most baseball insiders are telling the Dodgers not to worry because Das should rule in their favor. Beltre's camp believes differently.

``This is a gray decision and any time you have a gray decision, you have to weigh the issues,'' Daly said. ``If it were a slam dunk on either side, it would be easy.''

There is also the issue of whether Das' ruling would be final, because a lawsuit is possible. Both sides are also watching the Wilson Betemit situation. Betemit, a minor-league infielder in the Atlanta Braves system, filed a suit in Palm Beach, Fla., and is asking to be ruled a free agent.

The Braves were recently fined $100,000 and are not allowed to scout players from the Dominican Republic. But as a minor-leaguer, Betemit's not eligible for the players association's grievance process, forcing him to the courts.

It's believed Beltre's case would be similar because he originally signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers. Daly said any such action wouldn't affect how he handled the negotiations.

--Fetters hurts leg: Right-hander Mike Fetters, who the Dodgers raved about since the first day of spring training, won't be on the mound for at least a few days, possibly longer, after he pulled his left quadriceps during a run-down in Tuesday's intrasquad scrimmage. Manager Davey Johnson said Fetter could be out two weeks, but an eager Fetters is hoping it's only a few days.

``I came into camp in the best shape of my career,'' Fetters said. ``I refuse to let this stop me. I came here for one reason, to be a Dodger. If I don't make the team as a Dodger, I might as well go home.''

--Grapefruit rotation set: The Dodgers announced how their starting pitchers will stack up for the first week of Grapefruit League action. Mike Judd and Jeff Williams will pitch Friday, Chan Ho Park and Orel Hersheiser throw Saturday, Kevin Brown and Eric Gagne pitch Sunday and Darren Dreifort and Carlos Perez go Monday.

--Odds and ends: Johnson said catcher Todd Hundley would start Friday's opener against Houston and return to action Sunday to catch Brown against the Mets.