DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GOODWIN'S OPTIONS OPEN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Before Tom Goodwin can be penciled into the Dodgers' leadoff spot on opening day, he must rescind his demand to be traded before next month's deadline.

If he doesn't, Goodwin must either be traded by March 15 or he'll become a free agent.

As a player with at least five years experience and traded in the middle of a multiyear contract, Goodwin has the right to ask for a trade during his first offseason with his new club. Acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with Colorado for Todd Hollandsworth on July 31, Goodwin asked to be traded after the season as protection for his rights. He signed a three-year deal with the Rockies last offseason.

``This is just to protect Tom,'' said Goodwin's agent, Hugh Goodwin. ``He's happy with (the Dodgers). I'm happy with management. We have to make sure we keep our eyes open if there's a team out there desperate for a guy like him. . . . It would take something bizarre for this to happen, but we have to have that option.''

So the option exists that the Dodgers could lose Goodwin. Teams have inquired about trading for him, but the Dodgers haven't been active in shopping him because they envision him as being the starting center fielder. They also believe he will rescind his trade demand by the deadline, though Hugh Goodwin said such a decision won't be made until March 14.

``(Goodwin) had to do that in order to protect himself,'' Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone said about asking for a trade. ``But I fully expect him to be on our opening-day roster.''

If Goodwin isn't traded and becomes a free agent, the Dodgers do have a fallback in Devon White. He's asked to be traded several times, but the Dodgers haven't found a suitor, particularly because he's owed $5.9 million.

But there is considerable risk for Goodwin if he elects to leave. Teams cannot negotiate with him until he becomes a free agent, so it's difficult to gauge whether the market would bear the $3.25 million he's guaranteed in 2001 and 2002. The contract becomes void if Goodwin opts for free agency. A player has not exercised such an option before and Goodwin is not seeking any change to his current contract from the Dodgers.

However, an injury on another team could change Goodwin's plan quickly, which is why the trade demand hasn't been rescinded, Hugh Goodwin said.

Goodwin, 32, batted .251 with 16 stolen bases in 56 games for the Dodgers last season. He is the most viable leadoff option for the club, but there remains questions about his ability to get on base and his propensity for striking out.

--Relief-pitching depth: Malone said there's enough relief-pitching depth in the organization for him to make a trade at any time. The favored pitcher to be moved is Antonio Osuna, though a decision hasn't been made on whether the club will carry 11 or 12 pitchers out of spring training.

Jim Tracy, overseeing his first workout as manager Thursday, said that will depend on the fifth starter and whether that person can switch between the bullpen and the starting rotation.

``Calendar comes into play,'' Tracy said. ``Days off, number of situations for your No. 5 guy. Where does the No. 5 guy fit in after a given start? Is it five days later, is it 10, is it going to be 12? The calendar becomes a major factor. We have a No. 5 starter we're going to need eight times in the first two months, so we're going to have to look closer at who that No. 5 guy is, and how he fits into the scheme of things after he pitches.''

Malone and Tracy said right-hander Eric Gagne and lefty Carlos Perez, if they don't beat out heavily favored Ramon Martinez for the fifth spot, could be used in the bullpen.

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Photo: ANTONIO OSUNA

He probably would be the one traded if there is enough bullpen depth.