DODGERS UPDATE: DODGERS ADD NAULTY FOR BULLPEN DEPTH.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Trying to add quality depth to the bullpen, the Dodgers acquired right-hander Dan Naulty from the New York Yankees in exchange for minor-league first baseman Nick Leach as the winter meetings ended Tuesday.

``He pitched well for the Yankees and our reports were he can help us,'' Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone said. ``This is another piece of the plan. We're trying to reach our objective.''

The Yankees had to move Naulty or lose him after designating him for assignment last week. It gave them 10 days either trade him, outright him to the minors or unconditionally release him.

To make room on the roster, the Dodgers designated right-hander Robinson Checo, the principal piece of the ill-fated Dave Mlicki trade last April, for assignment. Checo was 2-2 with a 10.34 ERA with the Dodgers.

Naulty, who made $300,000 last season, was 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA in 33 games for the Yankees. He has one minor-league option remaining, and Malone said Naulty would go into spring training needing to win a job.

``We'll throw him into the mix,'' Malone said. ``(Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman didn't want to lose him. It was a numbers game for them.''

Naulty, 22, attended Cal State Fullerton. He is 5-5 with a 4.54 ERA in four major-league seasons.

Leach, 22, hit .283 with 20 homers and 74 RBI last season at Single-A Vero Beach, but Dodgers brass didn't think he projected into a major-league player.

Beltre banter: Malone said the Dodgers may move into the free-agent market this week and sign a pitcher to aid the bullpen, but the club will probably wait until a decision is made on third baseman Adrian Beltre before pursuing any position players.

If the commissioner's office rules Beltre remains the property of the Dodgers, Malone said the club will map its offseason plan based on that, even though a grievance from the players union is likely.

``The only holdup is going to be waiting on Beltre,'' Malone said. ``If it's a decision where he's still a Dodger, we're going to move forward based on that. But you always have to be prepared the best you can, though that's going to be tough.''

Hall of a guy: Derrick Hall, former director of media relations for the Dodgers and morning man for XTRA-AM 1150, was re-hired as the club's senior vice president of communication.

Hall will oversee the communications and publicity side of the Dodgers and also have input on player-personnel situations. He will join the Dodgers on Jan. 1, 2000.

Hall also hosted ``Dodgers Game Day'' on XTRA, the team's flagship station, and also worked for Channel 4. He will phase out his radio and television duties over the next few weeks.

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2 photos

PHOTO (1) Kevin Malone

(2) Adrian Beltre