JORDAN'S FUTURE UNCLEAR VETERANS, PAYROLL AMONG KEY ISSUES.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Brian Jordan will have knee surgery Tuesday and travel home to Atlanta two days later to talk to his family about his future. But before Sunday's season-ending 2-0 loss to San Diego the Dodgers left fielder said he is favoring exercising his right to demand a trade after the World Series.

Dodgers general manager Dan Evans doesn't have to revamp an organization this offseason as he did last year, but he faces plenty of issues for a Dodgers club burdened with difficult contracts, a rising payroll in the face of a newly imposed luxury tax, a lineup in need of another bat and soaring expectations.

But the biggest issue facing the Dodgers entering the offseason is Jordan.

``If you ask me today, I'm leaning the other way,'' said Jordan, who was acquired Jan. 15 from Atlanta in the Gary Sheffield trade. ``It's a family-type thing. I really can't give you an honest answer. I'm up in the air. That's the bottom line. It's a lot of factors, but the most important thing is getting it worked out with my family.''

Jordan also said whether the Dodgers re-sign close friend and teammate Marquis Grissom, who will be a free agent, will be a factor, as will his contract status. If the Dodgers offered a contract extension or picked up his 2004 option, he would be more inclined to remain with the organization.

``I don't want to come all the way back out here knowing I'm just here for one year,'' Jordan said. ``Not even (the option). If they want to work something out, then we'll try to work something out. If not, I don't want to be that far away for another year when I don't have to be. (An extension), that's different. That's security. I know I'm not going to be out here in an apartment and cluttered. That was the worst part, cramped up in an apartment.''

Jordan is owed $9 million next season, and has a $10.5 option for 2004 with a $2.5 million buyout. As a player traded in the middle of a multiyear contract, Jordan can file for a trade within 15 days after the conclusion of the World Series. If the Dodgers don't trade him, Jordan becomes a free agent March 15, unless he rescinds his offer.

Evans wouldn't discuss Jordan's situation until he makes a decision. Although picking up the option year is common in this type of negotiation, Jordan's case is different because of his impending knee surgery.

Jordan will have an MRI today to clarify the scope of injury and is scheduled for surgery Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at Centinela Hospital Medical Center. The surgery to remove the middle portion of Jordan's patella tendon will be performed by team physician Dr. Ralph Gambardella.

It's the same surgery former Dodgers reliever Matt Herges had last season, and there is no guarantee he will return to form. Also, the surgery would hurt his trade value and would likely hamper his value as a free agent in mid-March.

Jordan batted .285 with 18 homers and 80 RBI, including 30 RBI in September, but he was more valuable than his stats. He changed the team's attitude with his hustling style and leadership in the clubhouse.

``There's people that have better numbers, but there's nobody else you would want with it all on the line,'' Dodgers right fielder Shawn Green said. ``He's a big part of the solution. Obviously, I want him back, but time will tell what happens.''

Grissom also had an enormous impact, on and off the field. He batted .277 with 17 homers and 60 RBI in limited at-bats but was a mentor to the younger players, particularly Adrian Beltre, Alex Cora and Odalis Perez.

``(Grissom) can be the determining factor,'' Jordan said. ``I can't see myself here without that guy. He held my sanity together.''

Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said he didn't know where at-bats for Grissom would come if he was to re-sign, an unlikely proposition. However, Tracy also knows Grissom and Jordan were integral in making a usually splintered clubhouse more close-knit.

``There's two things, and No. 1 is that I don't completely control their decision. The ball is in their court,'' Tracy said. ``They hold the trump card, but I respect both of them. You have no idea the respect I have for both of those guys. No. 2, when you've worked as hard as we've worked over the course of the last couple of years, ... how much do you want to see that clubhouse get overhauled to the point where you step into a Vero Beach scenario and you say to yourself, `We're starting over again.' That's not the object.''

But payroll can't be ignored, especially because Evans doesn't want to put the Dodgers in position to pay a luxury tax. That threshold is $117 million next season. It also has Evans trying to keep the players' payroll near this season's $102 million.

``I think one of the reasons we improved by six games this year is because we always had that thought in mind,'' Evans said. ``We needed to make sure our clubhouse was cohesive. I thought we had some selfish individuals last year that weren't really focused on what they needed to be, and we took care of that and I think we're a better club. I think in order to improve, we have to continue to have that mindset.''

The health of pitchers Kevin Brown, who should be ready by spring training, and Darren Dreifort will be a concern even when the season begins.

Evans will also be tempted to trade Beltre, the inconsistent third baseman who showed streaks of dominance but then displayed woeful concentration and technique at other times en route to batting .257 with 21 homers and 75 RBI.

Eric Karros' power should return after offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, but that might not be enough to offset an offense that ranked eighth in the league in runs scored and averaged 4.4 a game.

Evans also has to decide what to do with unhappy second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, who is making $5.5 million next season.

The Dodgers also want to get younger players involved, including middle infielder Joe Thurston and outfielder Wilkin Ruan. Tracy often talks of creating opportunities for players rarely given any, and he points toward the success of catcher Paul Lo Duca, center fielder Dave Roberts and reliever Giovanni Carrara as prime examples.

LOOK AHEAD

A look at the Dodgers and where they fit into the 2003 plans. Salaries for the upcoming season include pro-rated signing bonus.

RHP Kevin Brown, $15.667 million

Coming off back surgery in second injury-riddled season makes him the biggest question mark in baseball.

RHP Darren Dreifort, $11.4 million

Hasn't pitched since June 2001 and will battle for a spot in the starting rotation. Could be set-up man if healthy.

RHP Hideo Nomo, $7.5 million

Resurgent 2002 makes him the staff ace heading into spring training. Unbelievable competitor.

RHP Andy Ashby, $8.5 million

Could be dangled as trade bait in the offseason, though he has a limited no-trade clause and big contract.

LHP Omar Daal, free agent

Filled the need for swing man with bullpen and rotation wonderfully, but Kevin Malone has a better chance at coming back as GM.

LHP Odalis Perez, arbitration eligible

Will get a lofty raise from base $625,000 salary after proving he was more than throw-in of Sheffield deal.

LHP Kazuhisa Ishii, $2.75 million

Lots of work needed to get Ishii back on mound after being hit with line drive this month.

RHP Eric Gagne, under team control

One of top closers in baseball found his niche, and Dodgers found closer despite themselves.

RHP Paul Quantrill, $3.33 million

Durable, reliable set-up man pitched 53 percent of the games. Rubber band manufacturer should consult him for tips.

RHP Paul Shuey, $3.25

Rough start to Dodgers career turned out fine and he solidifies the Dodgers' seventh inning.

LHP Jesse Orosco, free agent

He will be offered a contract, though maybe as a nonroster invite, should he chose to pitch in his 80th decade.

RHP Giovanni Carrara, arbitration eligible

Will battle for last bullpen spot in spring training, if club keeps him around.

RHP Kevin Beirne, under team control

Out of options and could compete for long relief role.

1B Eric Karros, $8.5 million

Will undergo shoulder surgery and is hopeful that will restore his power numbers.

2B Mark Grudzielanek, $5.5 million

Could ask for a trade after disappointing season in which he was constantly replaced for defense late in games.

SS Cesar Izturis, under team control

Will continue to switch hit in winter ball and be given a chance to be starter again.

SS Alex Cora, arbitration eligible

If Grudzielanek is traded, he could become starting second baseman.

3B Adrian Beltre, arbitration eligible

Will likely double contract from $2.3 million but is best trade bait in organization.

LF Brian Jordan, $9.6 million

Said he is leaning toward asking for a trade, his right under the labor agreement.

CF Dave Roberts, under team control

Spark plug stole 45 bases and will be starting center fielder March 31 in Arizona.

RF Shawn Green, $15.7 million

Didn't miss Sheffield, and should continue to be the biggest bat in the lineup.

OF Marquis Grissom, free agent

Club will play him $1 million deferred payment, but he won't be in L.A.

OF Wilkin Ruan, under club control

Speedster will be fifth outfielder, face tough left-handers in place of Roberts.

UTL Mike Kinkade, under club control

The right-handed bat the Dodgers want off the bench. He batted .350 as pinch-hitter.

UTL Dave Hansen, free agent

Wants to come back, but .170 average and four RBI off bench could send organization another way.

C Paul Lo Duca, $2.64 million

Production was down but is the No. 2 hitter the Dodgers want and need.

C Chad Kreuter, club option

Buyout of $300,000 might have taken place during Sunday's seventh-inning stretch.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Dodgers outfielder Brian Jordan is leaning toward asking to be traded this offseason, but his impending knee surgery could change things.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

Box:

LOOK AHEAD (see text)