DODGERS UPDATE: GARCIAPARRA SEEMS WILLING.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

In what might have been the strongest indication yet that he is beginning to focus his attention on the Dodgers, free-agent shortstop Nomar Garciaparra spent a second consecutive day at Dodger Stadium on Friday. This time, he was joined by his wife, former U.S. national soccer star Mia Hamm.

Garciaparra, who will play either first base or left field if he signs with the Dodgers, also is being pursued by Cleveland, Houston and the New York Yankees. But the Indians want him to play right field, a move for which he is believed to have some reluctance, and the Yankees probably would use him on a part-time basis.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Garciaparra seems willing to play either position the Dodgers have in mind for him.

``We talked about it some,'' Colletti said. ``We probably spent (a total of) three to four hours together the last couple of days, and that was a discussion point (Thursday). I gave him some of my thoughts on it, and he gave me some of his thoughts.

``I don't think our thoughts were that far off. He is really amenable to doing whatever we need him to do. He just wants to know, as most players do, how to prepare.''

The first step in that preparation would be to actually sign a contract, and it isn't clear how close Garciaparra is to doing that. Colletti said he has been given no timetable for a decision.

A phone message left by the Daily News at the office of Arn Tellem, Garciaparra's Los Angeles-based agent, went unreturned.

Garciaparra and Hamm live in Manhattan Beach, which could give the Dodgers an advantage over the other three clubs. Hamm also has a home in Austin, Texas, which could weigh in the Astros' favor, but they still hadn't made a formal offer to Garciaparra as of Thursday.

If Garciaparra, 32, joins the Dodgers, the most likely scenario is that he plays first base until shortstop Cesar Izturis returns from Tommy John surgery sometime around the All-Star break. At that time, Jeff Kent is expected to move to first to make room for Izturis to move to second. Garciaparra then likely would move to left, although that will depend on what Colletti does to upgrade the Dodgers' outfield.

Colletti said he has no plans to meet with free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon and said the Dodgers' chances of signing Damon aren't good. But the club continues to pursue free-agent outfielders Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders and Preston Wilson.

``I don't feel comfortable addressing what-ifs,'' Colletti said. ``We will see what happens with Nomar and take it as it comes. As people recover from injuries, all those things will start to unfold, and we will make decisions as we have to make them.''

Besides an outfielder, Colletti's long wishlist still includes a starting pitcher, a left-handed reliever and a middle-of-the-order bat.

--Lasorda honored: Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, now a special advisor to owner Frank McCourt, will receive the Manager of the Century award during tonight's annual Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation banquet at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

Dodgers Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax also will be honored at the banquet with a lifetime achievement award.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com