DODGERS NOTEBOOK: KOSKIE STILL ON THE RADAR.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Paul DePodesta didn't flinch or blink. His jaw didn't drop to the floor.

Instead, when told on Saturday of a widely circulated Internet rumor that third baseman Adrian Beltre was seeking something in the neighborhood of a seven-year, $90 million contract on the free-agent market, the Dodgers general manager chuckled slightly, then lent the rumor what amounted to a touch of legitimacy - if not an out-and-out confirmation.

``That doesn't surprise me at all,'' DePodesta said.

If the truth lies in, or anywhere close to, those figures, it could have an adverse effect on the Dodgers' ability, and willingness, to re-sign Beltre. And with the club having a stated interest in free-agent third baseman Corey Koskie, formerly of Minnesota, DePodesta left open the possibility that negotiations with Beltre could reach a breaking point even before Beltre actually signs with another club.

The timing of negotiations with Koskie could become the key factor. The left-handed-hitting veteran reportedly has said he wants to know where he will be playing in 2005 by the time baseball's winter meetings conclude on Monday. Koskie, who grew up in Manitoba, Canada, is believed to be close to a deal with Toronto. But if the Dodgers decide to make a last-minute push, they clearly have the resources to outbid the Blue Jays and still save a large chunk of what they would have paid Beltre.

Meanwhile, DePodesta was quick to point out that signing Koskie isn't the only alternative to signing Beltre, even though the club's preference is to sign Beltre to a reasonable contract.

``I still feel like there are a number of ways we could go,'' DePodesta said. ``If it feels like one of those options is about to disappear, then we may have a tough decision to make.''

Whether intentionally or not, DePodesta clearly is sending a message to Beltre and his notorious hardball agent, Scott Boras. The Dodgers don't have enough leverage to strong-arm the powerful Boras into lowering Beltre's asking price, or even to rush him into a deal. But what DePodesta is trying to do is give himself enough leverage that he can withstand the potential loss of Beltre to another club, spend less money on another third baseman and still improve the overall quality of the team, partly with the money he saves.

Koskie has a career average of .280 in seven major-league seasons, with 101 home runs and 437 RBI. He received $4.5 million last year, the final season of a four-year, $10.5 million contract.

--Hudson update: The Dodgers appear to be zeroing in on what DePodesta calls, ``the one everyone is talking about,'' a trade that potentially could bring Oakland right-hander Tim Hudson to Los Angeles for right-hander Edwin Jackson and infielder Antonio Perez.

Although prohibited by baseball's tampering rules from publicly mentioning Hudson's name, DePodesta said he continued on Saturday to have discussions with his former boss, Oakland GM Billy Beane. DePodesta would not disclose the subject of those discussions, but the two were expected to meet again late Saturday night.

Both St. Louis and Baltimore are believed to be talking to the A's about Hudson, but Jackson is one of the game's top pitching prospects. DePodesta has said he won't rule out the possibility of trading Jackson.

--Perez update: Both DePodesta and manager Jim Tracy said Saturday they still hope to retain left-hander Odalis Perez, a free agent whose market value probably increases each time an elite free-agent pitcher such as David Wells, who signed with Boston, or Russ Ortiz, who signed with Arizona, is taken off the market.

DePodesta said it will take more than a one-year offer to keep Perez, who made $5 million last season while going 7-6 with a 3.25 ERA for the Dodgers despite receiving precious little run support.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com

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COREY KOSKIE

Dodgers' interest in the free-agent could complicate their pursuit of Adrian Beltre.