INTERVIEWS FOR PRESIDENT ONGOING.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said Friday there is no urgency to trade for a big bat in an attempt to improve what was the National League's worst offense last season, an obvious indication such an addition isn't likely to take place before the April 5 season opener.

``I promised that we would do whatever is necessary to put a winner on the field,'' McCourt said. ``I think the idea that one bat will be a cure-all and a fix-all is a bit misguided. I want to see what we have. I'm not focusing on what we can't do or what we don't have. I want to see what we can do. This team is a little better than people give it credit for.''

McCourt did say, however, the quest to acquire another hitter is ongoing.

As for the club's ongoing search for a new president and chief operating officer to replace Bob Graziano - who resigned three weeks ago but remains on the job for now - McCourt said he has interviewed candidates other than Mike Dee. When the Boston Red Sox promoted Dee from vice president for business affairs to chief operating officer, he withdrew from consideration.

McCourt, who did not identify those additional candidates, said filling the position is a top priority now that he has completed the search for a general manager.

Former Oakland assistant GM Paul DePodesta was hired for that position last month.

``We would like to get that (president/COO) situation settled down by opening day if we can,'' McCourt said. ``This is one of the great jobs in all of sports, being president and COO of the Los Angeles Dodgers, just like our GM position. We have talked to a lot of people. We're going to take our time and work through it. We're still looking at a lot of positions, and it's going to take some time to do that.''

Asked if that means more changes are coming, McCourt - who also accepted the resignation of executive vice president for business operations Kris Rone last week - was noncommittal.

``We're taking a look at every position in the organization,'' he said. ``This is a big investment. We are going through the organization and evaluating everyone at every position. We're looking with a full set of eyes. I do understand that there are some fantastic people working with the Dodgers who have dedicated their entire careers to the (organization). We're very, very respectful of that.''

McCourt downplayed reports either he or his wife Jamie could take on the president's role, eliminating the need to hire someone. McCourt said that if he himself fills the role, it probably would be on a temporary basis.

``I could certainly do it for a period of time,'' he said. ``There is no risk to doing both. More than likely, that would be (temporary), but I don't want to be branded a liar if we wake up five years from now and I'm still doing it. (But) we're talking to some people, and when we find the right person for the job, we're going to make a decision.''

McCourt seems to have eliminated his wife, who already has taken the title of vice chairman, from consideration for the president/COO job.

``We have talked a lot about it, and I think Jamie is better suited to the role she's presently in,'' McCourt said. ``Nobody knows me better than Jamie, and nobody gets my attention faster in terms of dealing with issues that have to be dealt with. I am concerned that if she gets into a position where she has to deal every day with the day-to-day issues, it would prevent her from getting involved with Major League Baseball and Los Angeles directly. I think those things would be great for a woman with her skills and personality.''

McCourt, who purchased the Dodgers from NewsCorp last month for $430 million, rejoined the club Friday after spending a week at home in the Boston area. The Dodgers played the first of two scheduled Grapefruit League games with McCourt's hometown Red Sox on Friday at City of Palms Park, losing 5-1. McCourt had the perfect answer when asked if his loyalties were divided.

``I have 430 million reasons now to root for one team over the other,'' he said.