DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SOURCE: YANKS JOIN SHEFFIELD SWEEPSTAKES.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Gary Sheffield's future with the Dodgers should unfold dramatically this weekend when Los Angeles travels to play the Yankees in a pair of games this weekend.

Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone plans to talk with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman about a deal that would send the all-star left fielder to New York in a prospect package, sources said Thursday. The teams play in Tampa on Saturday and Sunday.

Sheffield apologized to his teammates, the coaching staff, manager Jim Tracy, Malone, chairman Bob Daly and the fans for his actions and comments during a turbulent three weeks in which he demanded to be traded. All parties, other than the fans, said they've accepted his apology, but Daly hasn't said whether Sheffield was staying.

``(Sheffield) needs to prove to the fans that he wants to stay in Los Angeles, and fully convince the Dodgers that he wants to wear the uniform,'' Dodgers senior vice president Derrick Hall said. ``He's already apologized to the fans, but the best way to do that is for him to go out and play hard every day. As of (Thursday), teams are still calling and we continue to pick up the phone.''

Since Sheffield changed course and said he wants to remain with the organization he trashed, stories have surfaced Sheffield told friends in Cincinnati and New York that his comments shouldn't be taken seriously and he still wanted out. Sheffield wouldn't address those stories, saying he wants to concentrate on baseball.

But working on Sheffield's side is his hiring of agent Scott Boras this week. Boras is influential in the Dodgers organization, which believes Sheffield won't make outlandish comments with Boras representing him.

Malone and Cashman have previously talked about a deal involving Sheffield that would bring infielder Alfonso Soriano, who's played the outfield this spring, to the Dodgers. Soriano is the Yankees' No. 2-rated prospect. But he's a shortstop, and with Derek Jeter signing a long-term deal, there isn't room for him in New York.

The Dodgers also are eyeing prospects Alex Graman and Wily Mo Pena in the deal, sources said. Graman, 23, is the top-rated lefty in the Yankees organization. He was 8-9 with a 3.65 ERA at Single-A Tampa last season. Pena, 19, hit .205 with 10 homers and 28 RBI at Single-A Greensboro, but he's a five-tool player coveted by many teams.

The Dodgers are lukewarm about outfielder Shane Spencer, who could be in the deal rather than a prospect, a source said. He batted .282 with nine homers and 40 RBI with the Yankees last season but might not be ready by opening day because of injury.

--Goodwin to stay: It was stretched until 19 minutes before the midnight deadline, but the Dodgers received a facsimile indicating center fielder and leadoff hitter Tom Goodwin rescinded his trade demand and would remain with the Dodgers. The letter was sent by Goodwin's agent/brother, Hugh Goodwin.

As a player traded in the middle of a multiyear deal, Goodwin exercised his right to demand a trade during the offseason. If he didn't rescind that demand by midnight and the Dodgers didn't trade him, Goodwin would have become a free agent. Instead, he'll remain with the club and make $3.25 million in each of the next two seasons. The Dodgers hold an option for the 2003 season.

Hugh Goodwin said he was in contact with the players association throughout the day and added that Tom Goodwin spoke with his family about the situation.

``There were some intriguing opportunities out there but we couldn't get confident that any one of those offers would wind up with a better situation,'' Hugh Goodwin said. ``Also, Tom likes the Dodgers. That's a big thing. He really likes the Dodgers.''

--Odds and ends: Lefty Carlos Perez was scratched from his outing because of a high temperature. Perez, coming off shoulder surgery, pitched one inning this spring. He's likely to begin the season in extended-spring training. ... X-rays on Dave Hansen's left hand showed the broken bones on the left knuckle of his middle finger are still separated, though team medical staff said the bones are on the proper mending course. Hansen remains hopeful of playing opening day.

DODGERS vs. FLORIDA

Time: 10:05 a.m., at Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, Fla.

Radio: 1150-AM (tape delayed at 3:35 p.m.)

Matchup: RHs Andy Ashby, Mike Fetters and Jeff Shaw are scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers. The goal is to have Ashby pitch five innings.

Thursday's result: Hiram Bocachica, Gary Sheffield and Tim Bogar each homered as the Dodgers beat the Florida Marlins 9-7 at Holman Stadium.

-Brian Dohn

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Box: DODGERS vs. FLORIDA (see text)