TRACY'S STATUS THE BIG QUESTION MANAGER'S RETURN IN 2006 IS `POSSIBILITY' DODGERS 2, SAN DIEGO 1.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

Contrary to a published report, the fate of Dodgers manager Jim Tracy has not been narrowed to Tracy either receiving a contract extension or being fired.

General manager Paul DePodesta said during Saturday night's game, a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in front of a sellout crowd of 43,096 at Petco Park, that Tracy still could return next season to fulfill the final year of his current contract.

``There is a finite number of possibilities,'' DePodesta said. ``The status quo is certainly something we're still evaluating as a possibility. We're still evaluating every possible option.''

Tracy has an escape clause in his current two-year deal that must be exercised within the first eight days of the end of the Dodgers' season, which is today. But DePodesta, who is leaving town on Wednesday to attend his sister's wedding in Italy and won't return until Oct. 10, has said he would like to have the matter resolved by early this week.

Tracy requested an extension during a meeting at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 8 with DePodesta, owner Frank McCourt and Tracy's Houston-based agents, Alan and Randy Hendricks. It isn't clear whether that request was presented as an ``either-or'' ultimatum.

Tracy isn't likely to receive a long-term extension because DePodesta inherited Tracy when he was named GM in February 2004, a point at which Tracy was entering his fourth season as manager. Moreover, the Dodgers are about to complete just the 11th season in their storied history with at least 90 losses.

That fact can hardly be blamed on Tracy given the team's slew of injuries and DePodesta's slew of offseason roster moves. But it isn't the recipe for a contract extension, either, meaning that if Tracy's fate has dwindled to two possible options, those options probably are finishing his contract or being fired, with heavy emphasis on the former.

Club sources have said the decision whether to extend Tracy rests entirely with DePodesta.

--Note: Although he hails originally from just across the border in Tijuana, Mexico, Dodgers shortstop Oscar Robles moved as a teenager to San Diego, where he lived with cousins so he could play baseball for Montgomery High School.

Robles came back this weekend to play the final series of his first season in the big leagues and went 2 for 4 with a homer in Friday night's opener. He also doubled in his only previous at-bat here, a pinch-hit appearance on June 23.

Robles entered Saturday's game hitting .272 with five homers and 34 RBI for the season. Depending on what moves the club makes over the winter, Robles probably will begin the season as the everyday shortstop in the absence of Cesar Izturis, who underwent Tommy John surgery and isn't expected back until the All-Star break. Even after that, Robles could fit in at third base.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

4 boxes

Box:

(1) DODGERS at SAN DIEGO

- Tony Jackson

(2) GAME RECAP

(3) HOW THE RUNS SCORED

(4) ALMANAC