WINTER MEETINGS 2005: ANOTHER INTERVIEW FOR FREGOSI?

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

DALLAS - As the Dodgers' managerial search officially entered its 10th week, there still were no indications as to which of the five candidates general manager Ned Colletti will ask back for second interviews. But Colletti did hint on Monday that he has decided on at least one of those candidates, and logic would suggest it is longtime major-league manager Jim Fregosi, a special assistant to Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz.

Fregosi, who is attending this week's winter meetings, said Monday night he had not heard from the Dodgers. But Fregosi, a former special assistant to San Francisco GM Brian Sabean, is the only candidate who has worked previously with Colletti, who was Sabean's top assistant for the past nine seasons.

As of Monday night, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt had no plans to fly here for the meetings, a team spokesperson said. But that could change if Fregosi is invited for a second interview because McCourt plans to take part in those interviews.

``We'll probably bring back one or two,'' Colletti said. ``I am in the process of figuring out who (they) will be.''

There still is no timetable for hiring a manager, but if Fregosi gets the job, the process theoretically could be complete within the next two or three days. If not, it probably will stretch into next week.

--Bradley update: While Colletti insisted he hadn't yet decided what to do with troubled center fielder Milton Bradley, he did say interest in Bradley from other clubs has been considerable.

``I would say it's varied, but there is a lot of it,'' Colletti said.

One club known to have interest is Oakland, which reportedly has offered left-hander and former Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito as part of a potential trade. The A's have a stockpile of quality starting pitching, and Zito, who will make $7.9 million in 2006, is eligible for free agency next fall. Moreover, the A's have a close-knit, professional clubhouse that would have a better chance of keeping the temperamental Bradley in line.

``The great thing about our clubhouse is that we're able to absorb a lot,'' said Oakland GM Billy Beane, who never mentioned Bradley specifically. ``We have a great bunch of guys and a pretty cohesive group. There is a sense that a lot of guys could fit well into our situation.''

The Chicago Cubs also are rumored to have interest in Bradley. But if the Dodgers trade him there, they probably will have to take Cubs center fielder Corey Patterson, who never has performed at the level club officials thought he would when he first came to the big leagues.

--Collins OK: One man who won't be the Dodgers' next manager is player development director Terry Collins, who appeared to have a lock on the job when the search was being conducted by former GM Paul DePodesta. Collins' chances took a major blow when McCourt fired DePodesta on Oct. 29, then dissolved altogether when Colletti told him last week he no longer was a candidate.

``I said OK,'' Collins said Monday. ``I will always support the notion that when you're running the show, you should be able to get the guy you want. I will always support that and have no problem with it.''

Collins said Colletti gave him a reason why he no longer would be considered, and while Collins declined to say what that reason was, he did say he understood it. Collins also said he is committed to his present role in the organization and has no plans to leave.

--Talks open: Colletti said he recently made an initial call to Scott Boras, the agent for Dodgers free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver.

``All it led to was we should sit down and talk,'' Colletti said.

--Other winter meeting transactions: On the first day of baseball's annual swap session, the New York Mets completed their trade to acquire catcher Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins, and the Cleveland Indians finalized their $14.25 million, two-year deal with pitcher Paul Byrd.

Florida gets two players to be named from the Mets, and the players won't be announced until after Thursday's winter meeting draft. Officials familiar with the trade have identified one as 19-year-old right-hander Gaby Hernandez.

Byrd turned down more money and more years elsewhere to sign a two-year, $14.25 million contract Monday with the Indians, the club's first move in what could be a busy few days at the winter meetings in Dallas.

Also, the Oakland Athletics acquired right-hander Chad Gaudin from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for a player to be named. The St. Louis Cardinals filled two holes on their bench Monday, signing catcher Gary Bennett and infielder Deivi Cruz to one-year, $800,000 contracts.

- Associated Press contributed

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com