DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GAGNE CONFIDENT.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

VERO BEACH, Fla. - The Dodgers like rookie right-hander Eric Gagne so much they traded talented but underachieving Ismael Valdes this winter. Gagne's talent is unmistakable, but the plus side is he possesses the mental toughness Valdes lacked.

And Gagne, 24, is also confident in his ability.

He's the leading candidate in a four-pitcher race (with Orel Hershiser, Carlos Perez and Jeff Williams) for one of the last two spots in the rotation. In his mind, though, there's no question where he'll be.

``I will,'' Gagne said of impressing Dodgers manager Davey Johnson. ``I have to stay confident. I've been working real hard in the offseason. I expect to be in the rotation. I know they have the final choice, but I expect to be in it.''

But the Dodgers aren't asking Gagne to be the fifth starter and just give some good efforts. He's penciled in for the fourth spot, and the team's hierarchy thinks his physical and mental capabilities can push him to second or third in the rotation.

While pitchers and catchers didn't report to Dodgertown until Thursday, Gagne's been here for the past month working out.

``I wanted to be in the right mental frame of mind,'' Gagne said. ''You can't do that when there's snow on the ground in Montreal.''

--That's the ticket: Even though Montreal is a hockey city, Gagne, a French-Canadian, said there's been a lot of talk about the Expos all winter. And he's even heard his name mentioned prominently on radio shows and in the newspapers. The Dodgers open the season with a four-game trip to Montreal, and Gagne could pitch the series finale April 6.

``I heard it's sold out,'' Gagne said. ``A French-Canadian player there? That's huge. It's unbelievable.''

--Dreifort's role settled: Bullpen or starting rotation? It's a question Darren Dreifort's dealt with for the last two seasons, but it finally appears settled. He's a starter now, and will be one for the foreseeable future.

``It's nice to have that behind us,'' said the right-hander, who went 13-13, 4.79 ERA last season. ``I know the second half of the season I felt a lot more prepared.''

It's not just a big season for Dreifort to prove once and for all he can and should start, but it's also a free-agent year, and he's expected to test the market after the season and could be one of the top young pitchers available.

``The way I see it, I have a job to do here,'' Dreifort said. ``Whatever happens, happens. I'm not going to concern myself with the next five years unless you can get through this one.''

--Fetters feels ready: Right-hander Mike Fetters, a Van Nuys native and Pepperdine product, signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers before they added Dan Naulty, Terry Adams and Gregg Olson to the roster. However, he said he believes he can contend for a spot in the bullpen.

``I feel the best I've felt in four or five years,'' said Fetters, who had arm surgery last June. ''They told me I should have had the surgery three years ago, and that's when I started pitching (poorly). I'm excited. I'm looking at this like I'm a rookie trying to make the team.''

Fetters, who's pitched for five teams, appeared in 27 games last season for Baltimore.

--Comings and more comings: The majority of pitchers and catchers arrived Thursday, and staff ace Kevin Brown is expected today. . . . While the Dodgers say Alex Cora, Juan Castro and Jose Vizcaino will contend for the shortstop job, Cora has a huge lead in the race. And the Dodgers were pleased Cora arrived in Dodgertown on Thursday, five days ahead of the voluntary reporting date for position players.