DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS TO PICK UP OPTION ON HANSEN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PHOENIX - There are questions about where the Dodgers payroll will stand next season, whether they'll be able to afford re-signing Darren Dreifort, extending the contract of Chan Ho Park and signing another free-agent pitcher to round out the staff.

There's an issue in the bullpen with right-hander Mike Fetters, eligible for free agency, as is catcher Chad Kreuter.

But such should not be the scenario with pinch-hitter Dave Hansen, who has given the Dodgers one of the game's most-sought-after yet underrated weapons - left-handed power off the bench.

Hansen, making $500,000 this season, has a club option for 2001 that would play him $550,000. The Dodgers plan to pick that up, team officials said.

``My plan would be to come back, stay here,'' Hansen said. ``I like it here. This is my home, a great place to play. I love all the guys.''

Hansen is the most dangerous pinch-hitter in baseball. He set a major- league record with his seventh pinch-hit homer of the season Tuesday and he's been the most productive pinch-hitter in baseball this season.

Hansen is batting .288 with eight homers and 26 RBI in 2000. Seven of his homers (and six of his pinch-hit homers) have either tied the score or given the Dodgers the lead. He also has 14 RBI and is batting .271 as a pinch-hitter.

Hansen's 13 career pinch-hit homers are second to John Vander Wal among active players and eighth all-time. Cliff Johnson's 20 is the record.

But an offseason squabble nearly kept him from another season with the club. Hansen returned from Japan to play with the Dodgers in 1999, but rather than pick up his club option for 2000, the Dodgers renegotiated a contract that paid him less than the club option.

There was also discussion at the end of spring training about not keeping Hansen on the roster so the Dodgers could carry three shortstops.

``Seven pinch-hit home runs in one season, that's special,'' Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said. ``There was a lot of conversation in the offseason. People in the organization didn't want to bring him back. I said we have to have him back.''

--Odds and ends: Dodgers center fielder Tom Goodwin extended his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games with a single to right on the game's first pitch. . . . Catcher Angel Pena and right-handers Al Reyes and Mike Judd are expected to join the Dodgers today from the minor leagues. . . . The Dodgers are poised to sign a deal to have their Double-A affiliate in Jacksonville, Fla., after a 24-year relationship with San Antonio of the Texas League. . . . Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros reached the 100-RBI mark for the fifth time in his career with a sacrifice fly on Tuesday. . . . Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek returned to the lineup after missing one game with a bruised right thumb.

DODGERS VS. COLORADO

Time: 7:05 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

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

The Dodgers begin their final homestand of the season, a four-team, season-long 13-game string. Dodgers right-hander Chan Ho Park (15-9, 3.59) tries for his career-high in wins again, having had his winning streak snapped at four games last week in Colorado when he allowed seven runs on 10 hits in five innings. The Rockies will throw RH Brian Rose (3-2, 4.67), who faced Park in Colorado but wasn't involved in the decision.He yielded four runs in 4 1/3 innings. Friday - Dodgers RH Darren Dreifort (11-8, 4.53) vs. Rockies RH Pedro Astacio (12-9, 5.35); Saturday - Dodgers RH Eric Gagne (2-6, 5.44) vs. Rockies RH Julian Tavarez (10-3, 4.21); Sunday - Dodgers RH Luke Prokopec (0-0, 1.23) vs. Rockies RH Masato Yoshii (6-14, 5.68).

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo: (1) SNIDER

(2) SHEFFIELD

Box: (1) CHASING DUKE

(2) DODGERS vs. COLORADO (See text)