GAGNE, BLOWERS SHOULD PROVIDE STABILITY.

Byline: Tim Brown Daily News Staff Writer

The Dodgers' new left side arrived Monday morning, shortstop Greg Gagne not far behind third baseman Mike Blowers, which is how they might fit into the batting order, coincidentally enough.

They constitute the bulk of the Dodgers' substantial winter transactions - Gagne the wary free agent from the Kansas City Royals and Blowers, arbitration-eligible from the Seattle Mariners. They were not deals of the blockbuster variety. These players merely were additions to a club that will defend its National League West championship without Jose Offerman and, perhaps, with a steady, available, everyday third baseman.

However, veterans Gagne and Blowers represent the reason most feel the Dodgers will repeat in the West, and will do so by a comfortable margin. They are considered the final pieces in what at times was a puzzling Dodgers team last year.

Though Blowers knew little about the National League or the Dodgers before he was traded from his hometown Seattle, and was initially disappointed at the prospect of leaving the Mariners behind, his research delighted him.

"I realized right away this is a very good baseball team," he said. "A lot of people are expecting us to win, which I think is a good thing.

"I think it's a better team than I played for last year, so I'm excited."

Blowers left what seemed to be his perfect situation. He still has a home in Seattle, where he expects to retire. Before his friends and family and a city alternately bored and crazed with its baseball franchise, Blowers and the Mariners came from deep in the American League West standings, tied the Angels at the wire, beat the Angels in a one-game playoff, beat the New York Yankees in a five-game series and took the Cleveland Indians to six in the ALCS.

And then they asked him to leave and to take his 23 home runs, his 96 RBI with him. Right-hander Jeff Nelson and first baseman Tino Martinez, also bound to be expensive, left Seattle for the Yankees.

"I knew I was going to go," Blowers said. "At least I had a pretty good idea."

Add newcomers: Gagne's job is a little less complicated. He replaces Offerman, whose 35 errors were the most in baseball. Gagne has committed 40 errors over the last three seasons.

Gagne, of course, would not be drawn into the comparison.

"I just want to do the best I can to help the Dodgers win," he said. "That's all I can do. And that's all I will do.

"I'm going to a place now where I'm needed. That's great. Last year, (the Dodgers) were in the playoffs and got pretty far without me. I'm just a part of this team."

Gagne will not wear No. 7, which has been on his uniform for nearly a decade. He looked at the 21 on the back of his uniform, shook his head, then scanned the clubhouse for 7. He found it on Billy Ashley's locker.

"He's too big to wear that stinkin' number anyway," he said with a laugh. "He needs a 40 or a 44."

Add Gagne: He very nearly was drawn into the Ozzie Smith fray in St. Louis, where the Cardinals are caught between the end of Smith's career and the addition of former San Francisco Giants shortstop Royce Clayton. Smith is among the most popular Cardinals ever, but, at 41, his skills have deteriorated. Apparently, Smith and Clayton will compete for playing time this spring.

"Things kind of fell apart there," Gagne said of negotiations with Cardinals management. "I'm kind of glad I didn't go to St. Louis, what with the Ozzie Smith situation."

Notes: Closer Todd Worrell arrived Monday and had a light afternoon workout. . . . The Dodgers signed infielder Juan Castro to a one-year contract. . . . The Dodgers' first full-squad workout will be held today.