DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DEADLINE WILL KEEP L.A. BUSY.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

With five days before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline and nearly 20 teams still deciding whether or not they're legitimate playoff contenders, players and general managers are bracing for a wild ride the next few days as clubs bolster their rosters for the pennant stretch.

The Dodgers, fresh off a 3-3 East Coast trip that saw them gain three games on NL West leader San Diego, figure to be major players one way or another.

That includes actual trades - they're searching for a big bat in the outfield and middle-relief help - or simply shooting down the inevitable rumors that percolate this time of year. They barely escaped New York before the rumor mill churned out a report that the surging Mets had approached them this weekend about the availability of second baseman Jeff Kent.

Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta quickly quashed the report Monday. With the Dodgers just 5 1/2 games behind the Padres heading into Monday's home game against Cincinnati, DePodesta isn't keen on the idea of giving up Kent, who leads the team in batting average (.299) home runs (17) and RBI (66).

DePodesta does expect a flurry of activity the next few days.

DePodesta, who proved last year he isn't afraid to shake things up, trading popular catcher Paul Lo Duca to Florida in a deal that brought pitcher Brad Penny and first baseman Hee-Seop Choi to Los Angeles, hasn't ruled out being just as aggressive this year.

Bradley sits out: Center fielder Milton Bradley, who came off the disabled list Saturday in New York, was not in the starting lineup Monday. Manager Jim Tracy rested him after Bradley played all nine innings in games Saturday and Sunday.

--Valentin's new role? Infielder Jose Valentin, who had five hits last weekend as he continued to rehabilitate his injured right knee at Triple-A Las Vegas, is expected to see some time in the outfield with the 51s.