DODGERS OFF-SEASON: WITHOUT A TRACE ASIDE FROM NEW MANAGER, DODGERS LOOK FOR POWER, CHEMISTRY.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

Two days ago, when Paul DePodesta got the result you had to think he always wanted, the Dodgers general manager also turned up the thermostat a few degrees in his own office. He won't have Jim Tracy to kick around anymore, so everything that happens in Dodgerland between now and the end of DePodesta's reign will reflect directly on himself.

The just-completed disaster of a 2005 season, during which the Dodgers went 71-91 and finished a distant fourth in the embarrassingly awful National League West, also reflects in the general direction of DePodesta, a fact that can't possibly be lost on owner Frank McCourt.

DePodesta's first step toward redemption, then, will be his first hiring of a manager, something that will take place sometime this month. The search doesn't figure to take long, as DePodesta said Monday he has had a short list in mind since including an escape clause in the contract Tracy signed a year ago.

Who is on that short list is anybody's guess for now, although DePodesta promised to make it public when candidates are interviewed. DePodesta was not available for comment Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh general manager Dave Littlefield told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Tuesday that while he hasn't yet contacted Tracy about the Pirates' managerial vacancy, he did have a conversation with Tracy's Houston-based agents, Alan and Randy Hendricks. Tracy is believed to be the leading candidate - and possibly the only real candidate.

But Tracy getting another job will only save DePodesta about $700,000 off next year's expenditures. Given that at least one source with knowledge of the situation said the Dodgers' player payroll probably will dip to the $80 million range next season - and given the fact DePodesta will be hamstrung by the unwieldy contracts he gave out last winter - the prospects for the Dodgers dramatically improving themselves between now and next spring are questionable, at best.

That is why Tracy was unwilling to manage the Dodgers next season without a contract extension. It also is why DePodesta might be as busy this offseason as he was last winter.

On the field, the needs are simple. The Dodgers need a power-hitting first baseman, a power-hitting third baseman, a power-hitting left fielder and a power-hitting right fielder. They won't get all four. They would prefer at least three. But just getting two would be a marked improvement, and would afford more lineup flexibility to Glenn Hoffman, Art Howe, Kevin Kennedy or whoever gets tabbed to move into Tracy's old office.

No significant money will be spent on starting pitching, where even with Jeff Weaver likely to depart through free agency DePodesta seems content with a nucleus of Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Odalis Perez. The bullpen, assuming Eric Gagne comes back healthy and either Yhency Brazoban or Duaner Sanchez can handle the setup role, will get only minor tinkering.

The biggest need for an overhaul, though, might not be on the infield or in the outfield but in the clubhouse. Stories were told quietly throughout the season of internal strife, although that usually is the case with all losing clubs and even with some winning ones.

The late-August blowup between second baseman Jeff Kent and center fielder Milton Bradley, which almost certainly is going to lead to Bradley being traded or non-tendered this winter, has been well-chronicled. But there were countless other incidents that went unreported, most of which never would have been tolerated in a clubhouse patrolled by Paul Lo Duca, Shawn Green and Robin Ventura. And that is where DePodesta's biggest adjustment is called for.

The Dodgers clearly need a disciplinarian in the manager's office, one that won't look the other way while players run to the clubhouse between at-bats to check messages on their cell phones. They also need clubhouse leaders with a different approach from the anti-social Kent,

guys who can build enough goodwill with younger teammates that those teammates will be receptive when offered constructive criticism.

Those, of course, are intangibles - something DePodesta's computer-generated statistical analyses can't quantify. Those close to DePodesta say he has gotten better at listening to the people around him and actually applying their input to his decisions. That could have something to do with being blamed for much of what went wrong in 2005. It also could have something to do with what is likely to happen if this ship isn't back on course in 2006, even though DePodesta still will have two years left on his contract.

It isn't that far, after all, from where DePodesta currently sits to where Tracy currently sits. Tracy appears to be on the verge of landing on his feet, his reward for four winning seasons in five years and winning a division title. DePodesta, who presided over that division-winning club then systematically dismantled it, would seem to have farther to fall.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com

A LOOK AT THE DODGERS

The 45 players on the Dodgers' current 40-man roster and 60-day disabled list and their status for next season, ranked in order of length of time they remain contractually under Dodgers control.

RETIRING

Wilson Alvarez, LHP - Will save club $2 million by walking away from final year of his contract.

FREE AGENTS

Paul Bako, C - Missed half the season, but probably will be re-signed as backup.

Jose Cruz Jr., OF - Probably will be re-signed and possibly will be everyday right fielder.

Darren Dreifort, RHP - Missed the entire season with injuries and definitely won't be re-signed.

Olmedo Saenz, IF - Too valuable off the bench and too cheap ($650,000 this year) to let get away.

Jose Valentin, IF - Missed three months with knee injury and didn't produce, so won't be kept.

Jeff Weaver, RHP - Will end up elsewhere because he is too expensive to keep.

OPTIONS

Elmer Dessens, RHP - Valuable long reliever has mutual option at $1.3 million with a $250,000 buyout.

CONTROL THROUGH 2006

Giovanni Carrara, RHP - A five-plus arbitration eligible who will still be fairly cheap.

Eric Gagne, RHP - If he bounces back from injury and is anything close to his old self next year, he probably prices himself out of Los Angeles next winter.

Jeff Kent, 2B - Easily the team MVP, probably will retire after next season, no matter how well he plays.

Ricky Ledee - Important left-handed bat off the bench, but his aging legs are a question.

Kelly Wunsch, LHP - Valuable situational lefty who is five-plus arbitration eligible.

CONTROL THOUGH 2007

Milton Bradley, OF - Tired of his act, club will trade him if possible, non-tender him if not.

Odalis Perez, LHP - Unpopular clubhouse malcontent, but has little trade value.

CONTROL THROUGH 2008

Hee-Seop Choi, 1B -Three-plus arbitration, might play every day with Jim Tracy gone.

Cesar Izturis, SS - Expected back from Tommy John surgery around the All-Star break.

Derek Lowe, RHP - Angered ownership with off-field activities, but will provide solid anchor for rotation again next year.

Brad Penny, RHP - Appears healthy now, and nasty stuff is enough to offset what some say is a negative clubhouse presence.

Jason Phillips, C - Three-plus arbitration eligible, but has no spot on this team and probably will be traded.

CONTROL THROUGH 2009

J.D. Drew, OF - DePodesta's worst signing to date finally will get chance to play center field.

Jason Grabowski, OF - Might be at the end of his run with the club.

Duaner Sanchez, RHP - Adequate as replacement closer, but wore down toward the end.

Jayson Werth, OF - Will be back, but staggering number of strikeouts might relegate him to fifth-outfielder status.

CONTROL THROUGH 2010

Yhency Brazoban, RHP - Ran out of gas long before season ended, but is a potential major-league closer.

D.J. Houlton, RHP - No longer blessed with Rule 5 status, will have to earn a spot next spring.

Edwin Jackson, RHP - Star has fallen no matter what club officials say and could be trade bait.

Brian Myrow, INF - Who?

Antonio Perez, INF - Worked diligently down the stretch to improve his defense but still will have trouble cracking the everyday lineup next year.

Jason Repko, OF - Will benefit immeasurably from being forced up at least a year early, but there might not be a spot for him on next year's roster.

CONTROL THROUGH 2011 AND BEYOND

Aybar, Willy, IF ('11) -- Patient hitter who can play second and third.

Broxton, Jonathan, RHP ('11) -- Likely successor as closer if Gagne leaves after '06.

Edwards, Mike, IF ('11) -- Probably doesn't fit into organization's future plans.

Hanrahan, Joel, RHP ('13) -- Probably won't see majors before '07.

Ketchner, Ryan, LHP ('13) -- Could compete for a spot on the team next spring.

Kuo, Hong-Chih, LHP ('11) -- Made favorable impression during late-season callup.

Martin, Russell, C ('13) -- Once thought to be defensively superior to Dioner Navarro but now could be trade bait because of Navarro's emergence.

Navarro, Dioner, C ('11) -- One of the few bright spots of the Dodgers' lost season, will begin next year as everyday catcher.

Osoria, Franquelis, RHP ('11) -- First taste of the big leagues this season will prove invaluable going forward.

Robles, Oscar, IF ('11) -- One of club's most baseball-savvy players and probably its everyday shortstop until Izturis returns.

Rose, Mike, C ('11) -- First major-league homer might have come in last major-league at-bat.

Schmoll, Steve, RHP ('11) -- Sidearmer should be a lock for opening-day roster next spring.

Thompson, Derek, LHP ('11) -- After brief big-league debut, missed second half of minor-league season due to injury.

Young, Delwyn, IF ('13) -- One more year of seasoning should have him ready to take over second base in 2007 if Kent retires.

Ross, Cody, OF ('11) -- Is out of minor-league options, so could be lost through waivers.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

DODGERS FREE AGENT JEFF WEAVER

Box:

A LOOK AT THE DODGERS (see text)