DODGERS UPDATE: DODGERS, ISHII OCEAN APART NEGOTIATIONS NOT GOING WELL; PITCHER COULD REMAIN IN JAPAN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

The Dodgers and Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii are nowhere near a deal, which prompted his agent to say the left-hander might not play in the major leagues next season.

Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng and Ishii's agent, Joe Urbon of Octagon, continued negotiations Tuesday.

``I'm concerned with where we are with the process,'' Urbon said. ``I will have to call (Ishii) back and give him an update and start preparing him for the possibility he may not come over.

``This is the first time I felt this is a possibility.''

The Dodgers won exclusive negotiating rights to Ishii by bidding $11.26 million. His team, the Yakult Swallows, accepted the bid Jan. 9, which gave the Dodgers 30 days to work out a contract. If a deal isn't reached by 9 p.m. on Feb. 8, Ishii would return to the Swallows, become a free agent after the 2002 season and be allowed to negotiate with any major-league team.

The Dodgers quietly remain confident they can reach an agreement with Ishii even though at least four negotiating sessions have produced little progress. Neither Urbon nor the Dodgers would discuss negotiation details.

The Dodgers initial offer was a three-year deal worth less than $7.5 million. Ishii's representatives want more than double that figure, sources said.

``This guy should be paid like a quality starting pitcher, like (Dodgers manager) Jim Tracy, (pitching coach) Jim Colborn and (general manager) Dan Evans have been quoted as saying he is,'' Urbon said. ``(Ishii) would take a bit of a discount to play for the Dodgers, but we're not to the point where we could take a discount.

``They're making it easy for him to pass it up.''

Ishii, 28, is viewed as a No. 3 starter who could develop into a No. 2. The depth he would provide also would allow Evans to trade another starter for a closer.

Ishii pitched in the Japanese World Series five times and has a career mark of 78-46 with a 3.38 ERA.

``We're in the early stages of negotiations,'' Evans said. ``I know Kim has had multiple talks with Joe. Aside from that, we don't have anything to comment on because our organization's policy is not to comment on free-agent negotiations.''

--Urbina still on radar: The potential acquisition of Boston Red Sox closer Ugueth Urbina became more difficult when the right-hander avoided salary arbitration and signed a one-year, $6.7 million contract last week.

Urbina made $4.2 million in 2001 and is coming off a season in which he went 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA and converted 24 of 28 save chances while battling elbow problems. Thus, Dodgers officials were surprised he received such a significant raise.

To sign Urbina now, the Dodgers are attempting to unload outfielder Marquis Grissom, outfielder Tom Goodwin or second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, sources said.

--Reese remains option: The Dodgers remain interested in signing free agent Pokey Reese but have yet to offer the middle infielder a contract, sources said. The team would have to clear payroll to sign Reese, who is seeking at least $3 million for one year.