MAKING THEIR MOVE; DODGERS ACQUIRE PEREZ, GRUDZIELANEK.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Tom Lasorda, who guaranteed last weekend that the Dodgers would winthe National League wild-card race, set out to prove it Friday by acquiring left-hander Carlos Perez and infielder Mark Grudzielanek from the Montreal Expos.

Lasorda, who pulled out of the bidding for Seattle's Randy Johnson three days ago because of concerns the Dodgers could not re-sign him after this year, went for the second-best available left-hander in Perez, an All-Star during his rookie season in 1995.

``I had to give away young players,'' said Lasorda, who traded infielder Wilton Guerrero and three prospects. ``But we have to get this team into the playoffs. We think Perez and Grudzielanek are the guys to get us there.''

Although Grudzielanek will bring much-needed punch to the second spot in the Dodgers order, the key to the trade was the flamboyant Perez, 27, the third of three brothers to pitch in the major leagues.

Last season, he returned from shoulder surgery to lead the National League with five shutouts and ranked second with eight complete games.

Last week, Perez broke his nose during an auto accident in Montreal, but he is scheduled to pitch tonight against the New York Mets.

``He is just what we need,'' said right fielder Gary Sheffield. ``He is a guy who pitches a lot of innings and brings some fire to a team.''

Grudzielanek, 28, tied a major-league record for shortstops with 54 doubles last season when he batted .273 in 156 games with the Expos. With Jose Vizcaino expected to miss at least another two weeks with a sprained right ankle that has sidelined him since June 20, Grudzielanek will start tonight at short, then probably move to third base when Vizcaino returns.

He will immediately improve the offense. Since Vizcaino went down with the ankle injury, the Dodgers No. 2 hitters are batting .195 (25 for 128).

The Dodgers pursued Grudzielanek last winter before settling on the free agent Vizcaino. He is a superior hitter but is considered a defensive liability. That probably won't improve on the natural grass at Dodger Stadium after playing three years on artificial surface in Montreal.

The trade closes two wild months of speculation that Johnson, the dominant left-hander of the 1990s, would eventually find his way to Los Angeles. The Dodgers and Mariners began talking two months ago and nearly completed a deal, but the Dodgers were unwilling to give up right-hander Darren Dreifort.

Late Friday night Johnson was traded to the Houston Astros for two minor leaguers and a player to be named.

Earlier this week, the Mariners said the Dodgers were still involved, although the Dodgers denied any talks. The club didn't like the idea of acquiring Johnson for the next two months without a contract beyond this season. They also rejected the thought of paying Johnson, 34, a projected multi-year contract worth at least $11 million per year.

``I told (Seattle GM) Woody Woodward we weren't interested about three days ago,'' Lasorda said. ``He's a great pitcher, but it wasn't going to happen.''

The cost-conscious Expos were eager to trade both players, who are expected to receive hefty raises next season.

Perez is earning $1.5 million this season and could command around $4 million in 1999. Grudzielanek, critical of Expos management when he received $350,000 after his success in 1997, also is eligible for salary arbitration.

Sources said Fox, the Dodgers new owners, had no reservations about the increased payroll, which now stands at $61 million.

The Expos were concerned only with stockpiling prospects and received some of the Dodgers' best, including Double-A first baseman Jon Tucker from Chatsworth. They also got Tucker's San Antonio teammate Peter Bergeron, who is considered one of the top outfielders in Double-A.

The Dodgers also gave up left-hander Ted Lilly, who split time at Double-A and Triple-A this season. Montreal also gave up infielder Hiram Bocachica, who will play at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Dodgers insisted Montreal take the gifted but erratic Guerrero because of a sudden overload of infielders. Guerrero's older brother Vladimir is a star right fielder for the Expos, but Montreal manager Felipe Alou is not much of a fan of Wilton.

Guerrero, 23, is best known for the eight-game suspension he served during his rookie year (1997) for corking his bat. Dodgers management was furious and buried Guerrero, the Opening Day second baseman. They acquired Eric Young last July to play second and signed him to a four-year, $18.5 million contract.

Guerrero worked out in center field during spring training, but got playing time only after Young went down with a strained left thigh muscle. Guerrero had two or more hits in seven of his last nine games (.483, 14 for 29) but went 2 for 12 in Philadelphia, where his name began to surface in trade rumors.

``This will be a good opportunity for him,'' said manager Glenn Hoffman, who also had Guerrero at Triple-A. ``But today we made ourselves a better team.''

HIRED HELP

The numbers this season for Mark Grudzielanek and Carlos Perez, acquired Friday by the Dodgers in a trade with Montreal:

Avg. R H HR

Grudzielanek .276 51 109 8

Record ERA IP K

Perez 7-10 3.75 163-1/3 82

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, Box

Photo: (1) Leaping infielder Mark Grudzielanek will be turning double plays for the Dodgers now after Friday's trade with the Montreal Expos.

Paul Chiasson/Associated Press

(2--Color) GRUDZIELANEK

(3--Color) PEREZ

Box: HIRED HELP (See Text)