DODGERS REVAMP MINORS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

The Dodgers revamped their minor-league system by creating a hub at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., and have shifted three of their affiliates into locations they believe are more beneficial to success.

In another area, the Dodgers will take a hard look at the minor-league operations and the people running it. That will take place during the next few weeks as the Dodgers continue to restructure the developmental side of the organization, several baseball officials said.

One thing the club will look at is how the on-field staff treats players. Last fall there was a report of minor-leaguers complaining about a militaristic approach and verbal abuse, and several players remarked how they were afraid to make mistakes because of the tactics used.

There was already a pair of purgings in the minor leagues after each of the last two seasons, including the firing of Mike Scioscia as manager at Triple-A Albuquerque in 1999. The Dodgers say it was a mutual decision, but reports during the last year have said otherwise.

Dodgers officials insist the minor-league system is better than it was two years ago (scouts and other baseball officials have taken a wait-and- see attitude), but it still isn't to the point of being able to feed the major-league club, or work in unison with it.

When Carlos Perez, Orel Hershiser and Eric Gagne faltered early in the season, the Dodgers could turn to no one in their system to stick in the rotation because there was no one in the system they trusted.

At the trading deadline, the Dodgers couldn't get involved in talks for Denny Neagle, Andy Ashby or Curt Schilling because they didn't possess minor-league talent other teams coveted.

``(The system) is stronger at the lower levels, but I think there's still some gaps at the upper levels,'' Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone said. ``I think the player development people have done a great job. Look at the guys who have been able to contribute at the major-league level, like Matt Herges, Jeff Williams. Some guys have improved here with the developmental approach.''

The Dodgers don't have a plethora of prospects waiting at the Triple-A and Double-A levels, but club officials believe plenty of growth is taking place at the lower levels through a pair of strong drafts by respected scouting director Ed Creech.

``It has to be built at the lower levels, and you can see that in the competition of the clubs,'' assistant general manager Bill Geivett said. ``There's a very good feeling after a couple of drafts and international signings. What happens when you go to make a trade is the most valuable type of prospect is at Double-A, Triple-A. He's closer, and that's a lot less guesswork. I would think next year, at Double-A, we're going to have some players that will (have that type of value).''

As for now, though, the Dodgers don't have it. Pitchers Luke Prokopec and Adrian Burnside and third baseman Luke Allen, outfielder Chin-Feng Chen and catcher Geronimo Gil were at Double-A San Antonio. At Triple-A Albuquerque, only pitcher Eric Gagne was highly sought after by other clubs, while pitcher Mike Judd and catchers Angel Pena and Paul LoDuca brought minimal interest.