DODGERS NOTEBOOK: WHITE INFORMS DODGERS HE WANTS TO BE TRADED.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

DALLAS - Center fielder Devon White, bad-mouthed by the Dodgers through two rocky years and two lengthy injuries, has asked to be traded for the second time.

White and his agent, Eric Goldschmidt, met with Dodgers managing partner, CEO and chairman Bob Daly and general manager Kevin Malone recently. White's concern is that he won't get much playing time because the Dodgers plan on starting Tom Goodwin, sources said.

It's the second time in four months White has asked to be traded. He did so during a meeting with Malone and Daly shortly after the Dodgers acquired Goodwin for Todd Hollandsworth at the July 31 trading deadline.

However, moving White could be difficult unless the Dodgers eat a significant chunk of money. He's guaranteed $5.9 million - $5 million this season and a $900,000 buyout on a $6 million option for 2002, he'll turn 38 later this month and played in just 47 games last season because of injury.

``We had a meeting with Kevin and Mr. Daly and Devon and myself and we talked about the situation,'' Goldschmidt said. ``It was internal discussions, and it will stay that way.''

Malone, who signed White to a three-year, $12.9 million contract after the 1998 season, denied White asked for a trade.

``With a new manager in place, he wanted to see where he stood,'' Malone said. ``If (a trade) is what he wanted, I think we would look at that. If someone doesn't want to be here, I don't want him to be here and we'll try to move him. We want people who want to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers.''

Another factor involving White is Goodwin, who has until March 15 to demand a trade since he was acquired in the middle of a multi-year deal. A source said Goodwin would do so if White was still on the club and it looked as if the two would have to share time.

White became disenchanted last spring when he was told he'd have to compete with Hollandsworth for the center-field spot. He won the competition, but he tore his left rotator cuff diving for a ball in early May. White missed 2 1/2 months, but a week after returning was greeted with the news the Dodgers acquired Goodwin.

White missed the final month of the season with a strained hamstring and was granted permission to leave the club instead of traveling to San Diego for the final three games of the season.

--Not counting on Carlos: The Dodgers' pursuit of a fifth starter means they're not counting on lefty Carlos Perez to have any impact despite being guaranteed $7.5 million. The embattled Perez is coming off shoulder surgery and isn't expected to be ready for the start of the season.

``We're thinking he'll be back some time early in the first half, or we're at least hopeful,'' Malone said. ``I don't think, competitively, he'll be ready to pitch in spring training.''