DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SHAW MAY BE MINUS OPTIONS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PHOENIX - Even if closer Jeff Shaw decides not to retire after the season to spend more time with his family, there's a strong chance he might not be with the Dodgers because of financial implications.

Shaw has a $7.05 million option that must be agreed upon by both sides, or several buyout packages exist. The Dodgers already have $82.3 million committed to 13 players for next season, and unless they can reduce payroll in other areas, they are likely not to pick up that option, a pair of baseball officials said.

Shaw has 39 saves but has blown nine and often is criticized because he lacks an overpowering fastball. Shaw was booed heartily in allowing three runs in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 6-4 loss to San Francisco.

However, interim general manager Dave Wallace, regarded as one of the top pitching instructors in baseball, said an overpowering fastball wasn't needed to be a top-flight closer.

``Dennis Eckersley and John Franco,'' Wallace said. ``That's what comes to mind. My God. Eckersley, one year he walked four guys, something like that. (Shaw) has had a very good year.''

An All-Star performer the first half of the season, Shaw hasn't performed up to that standard in the second half. He entered Friday without a save since Sept. 1. Since Aug. 1, Shaw is 7 for 12 in save situations and his ERA is 5.66.

Shaw has the lowest save percentage (81.3) among the six National League closers with 38 or more saves.

--Courting Evans: Baseball officials continue to say the Dodgers will hire Dan Evans, special assistant to Wallace, as their next general manager, but they added the Dodgers might ask the commissioner's office to waive the mandatory search, citing a hire from within.

An edict from the commissioner's office is to conduct a search for such positions and to include minorities in those searches. However, that can be circumvented if the team hires from within.

The Dodgers want to expedite the process because Evans' contract expires Monday, though he'll remain with the club the rest of the season. But as of now, baseball official Rich Levin said he expected the Dodgers to conduct a complete search.

--Mulholland drive: Dodgers manager Jim Tracy hasn't set his rotation for next weekend's three-game series at San Francisco, but it's likely to include lefty Terry Mulholland rather than Eric Gagne or Luke Prokopec.

Tracy wants to see Mulholland as a starter. Mulholland could be a fifth starter next season, depending on what moves the Dodgers make in the offseason. And Tracy also spoke of the potential to use Gagne and Prokopec in the bullpen next season.

``(Mulholland) could be a fifth (starter) kind of guy because of his resiliency, his ability to bounce back,'' Tracy said. ``You could slot him into the bullpen.''

DODGERS vs. ARIZONA

Time: 1:05 p.m., at Bank One Ballpark.

TV/Radio: Ch. 11; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Dodgers RH James Baldwin (2-5, 4.41 ERA) looks for his first win since Aug. 23, though he has pitched well in his last two starts. Baldwin has allowed three earned runs in his last 14 innings, but the Dodgers are 2-7 in his starts. Baldwin is 0-4 with 5.59 ERA in his last five starts. Arizona's Miguel Batista (10-8, 3.50) is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in seven games, including two starts, against the Dodgers this season. He pitched seven shutout innings in last Friday's 10-0 win. Batista is 5-6 with a 3.63 ERA in 16 starts this season.

-Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. ARIZONA (see text)