DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BIG NUMBERS, NOT BIG PAYCHECKS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Pitchers Carlos Perez, Gregg Olson and Ramon Martinez and infielder F.P. Santangelo were paid $10.2 million dollars by the Dodgers last season though they weren't playing for the club.

It was the new Dodgers philosophy. Chairman Bob Daly took performance over paycheck, and he might have to make a decision if the club is willing to do the same this season. Several high-priced veterans are at a crossroads in their careers, and they might not survive spring training despite being guaranteed significant money.

``We cannot worry about some of the other factors,'' said Dodgers senior vice president of baseball operations Dave Wallace. ``It's our job to make recommendations from a baseball standpoint that we think is going to (make up) the best team on the field. All the other considerations are to be factored in.

``However, let's initially make our baseball decisions and then we have to look at some other considerations. Maybe it's a process where it's going to take time.''

Center fielder Marquis Grissom is owed $5 million this season, but with an outfield that already has Shawn Green, Brian Jordan and potentially Dante Bichette, McKay Christensen and Tom Goodwin, a decision could come on Grissom.

Goodwin, meanwhile, might not be immune. He is owed $3.75 million and could be expendable despite the hefty contract. General manager Dan Evans spent the offseason trying to trade both of them, baseball officials said, but couldn't find a suitor.

Also, reliever Mike Trombley is owed $2 million but could have trouble fitting into an overcrowded bullpen.

``A year ago we made several correct decisions as far as our team was concerned,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``We made the statement, 'Hey, you know what? We feel like we have the player here that's necessary for the immediacy of our situation.' Because it's so early right now, there obviously are no decisions that need to be made today, but as we go down the road, we'll see how things shake out.''

--Lo Duca agrees in principle: The Dodgers and catcher Paul Lo Duca agreed in principle to a three-year, $7 million deal that could be announced as early as today, sources said. The deal was originally reported in Monday's edition of the Daily News.

The sides have to work out some of the language of the contract and some peripheral issues, but all are routine and an announcement is expected shortly.

The deal provides financial stability for Lo Duca, who wasn't afforded much of a bonus after signing with the Dodgers as a 25th-round pick out of Arizona State in the 1993 draft. The deal eats two years of salary arbitration off Lo Duca's career, but he will be eligible for arbitration after the 2004 season. He will be a free agent after 2005.

Also, negotiations on a two-year deal for right-hander Matt Herges are progressing.

--Brown update: Staff ace Kevin Brown took another significant step in his comeback from elbow surgery, throwing split-finger fastballs for the first time, according to physical therapist Pat Screnar.

Pitching coach Jim Colborn said Brown could be ready to pitch in games by the second week of the Grapefruit League season and he was on course to be ready to start the season.

``He looked solid,'' Colborn said. ``He maybe threw half of his pitches the way he's supposed to, which at this point in the spring that's about normal for all those guys.''

--Dodgers pass on Pil-Jung: With an abundance of relievers already in camp and with reports that are so-so at best, the Dodgers decided not to bid on right-handed reliever Jin Pil-Jung of South Korea. Bids are due at 2 p.m. today.

``We've spent a lot of time considering that situation, and while we like him and think he's a good player, we just feel that we have options here that are better,'' Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. ``In addition, our international people do such a good job that we feel there's options out there that are better than this one here at this time. We felt at this time we're going to take a pass.''

--Odds and ends: Eric Gagne and Odalis Perez were already slated to pitch in Thursday's Grapefruit League opener against Florida, and Omar Daal, the third member in the competition for the fifth spot, is scheduled to get his first game experience Friday against Houston. ... Set-up men Paul Quantrill and Herges, both vying for the closer spot, will also pitch against the Astros.