DODGERS UPDATE: VETS DRAWN TO COLLETTI.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND  Staff Writer

Ned Colletti has been on the job as the Dodgers' general manager for just over a year, and it's already clear that there's a Colletti Doctrine when it comes to how to construct a team.

Colletti prefers to build with veterans and established winners, and he brought two more into the fold Friday when the Dodgers officially signed pitcher Jason Schmidt and outfielder Luis Gonzalez.

``When they walk into the room, everybody is going to know who they are and what they bring,'' Colletti said in a conference call.

Schmidt signed a three-year, $47 million contract and Gonzalez signed a one-year, $7.35-million deal. Schmidt, who turns 34 in January, helped San Francisco reach the World Series in 2002.

Gonzalez, 39, won the World Series with Arizona in 2001 and has played in 24 career playoff games.

In selecting the Dodgers, both Gonzalez and Schmidt cited a veteran clubhouse that seems poised to win now and praised Colletti's moves, in which he has reshaped the rotation and outfield.

``The ownership and Ned have shown a commitment to wanting to win,'' Gonzalez said. ``When you see the moves they've made and all the young players they have, it was kind of a no-brainer (to sign).

``Everybody wants to get back to the playoffs and the World Series. When you look at the team they've put together, it looks very good on paper. Now it's up to us to produce and get to the next step.''

That should be easier with Schmidt, who gives the Dodgers an established ace and perhaps the flexibility to move another starting pitcher or two in order to acquire a valued power hitter before spring training.

Schmidt became one of the National League's top starters during the past five seasons with the Giants. Despite some nagging injuries, he has made at least 29 starts in each of the last five seasons and in 2006 Schmidt went 11-9 with a 3.59ERA and made the All-Star team for the third time in his career.

It had been expected that Schmidt would wait until after Barry Zito signed before he chose a team, but Schmidt said he felt comfortable with the Dodgers -- particularly Colletti and trainer Stan Conte, both former Giants employees -- and said that a contract longer than three years was not necessary.

``There were definitely longer offers out there,'' Schmidt said. ``Three years was something I was comfortable with. I don't know where my career will take me after three years.''

Gonzalez's career has spanned 17 years and four organizations.

He's no longer the top-level power hitter he was in his prime -- he had 57 home runs with Arizona in 2001 -- but Gonzalez figures to fit in the middle of the Dodgers' order and provide some gap power.

In 153 games last season, Gonzalez hit .271 with 15 homers and 73 RBIs.

``I've always considered myself a doubles hitter,'' Gonzalez said.

``I came up in the Houston organization and played in the Astrodome. Rarely do I go up to the plate trying to hit the ball out. I'm more about trying to square a ball up and hit it solid.''

The consensus is that the Dodgers still lack an impact power hitter. To that end, Colletti said he will take a few days to rest and then will resume ``looking into some things'' on the trade market.

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(color) New Dodgers outfielder Luis Gonzalez says he always has considered himself to be a doubles hitter.

Elsa/Getty Images