Spring Training / Dodgers : Roster All Set, Unless Niedenfuer Is Traded

Two weeks from Opening Day, the Dodgers’ 25-man roster is all but decided. Introductions hardly are in order, or necessary. What you saw in 1984, with the addition of an Al Oliver and a couple of recycled ex-Dodgers, Bobby Castillo and Jay Johnstone, is what you’ll get in 1985.

Only a last-minute trade--which, if it comes, probably will involve reliever Tom Niedenfuer--can alter a cast that Manager Tom Lasorda and Vice President Al Campanis essentially decided upon before spring training.

Niedenfuer rumors have persisted all winter--Niedenfuer to the Boston Red Sox for third baseman Steve Lyons, Niedenfuer to the Philadelphia Phillies for third baseman Rick Schu, Niedenfuer just about anywhere you want to send him. “My mother told me she read that I might be going to Seattle,” said Niedenfuer, a native of Washington.

Campanis doesn’t deny the interest. “The reason for the rumors is obvious for anybody who has any brains at all,” Campanis said. “Kenny Howell has been devastating.

“If you were out here at 8:45 this morning to see him throw, oh my God, he had a nasty fastball. And he’s come up with a curveball to go with his slider. He’s just awesome.”

Once upon a time, way back in 1983, the Dodgers were saying similar things about Niedenfuer, who won 8 games, saved 11 and struck out 66 batters in 94 innings. That was before his elbow blew out three times.

“Here’s a guy (Niedenfuer) who’s a good relief pitcher, but not as good as Howell,” Campanis said. “He was good in ‘83; we won (the division) because of him.”

Campanis said the Dodgers aren’t “soliciting” offers for Niedenfuer, but he sounded very much like he was making a sales pitch.

“He can help somebody very much,” Campanis said. “He can help us. I’d be remiss if I didn’t listen to other clubs.”

Especially if one of those clubs, like the Phillies, for example, is willing to part with an outfielder like Von Hayes. “We would want a bat,” Campanis said.

It would take more than just Niedenfuer, though, to get the Phillies to part with Hayes, for whom they gave up five players to acquire from Cleveland.

Besides, until Steve Howe proves himself completely sound, trading Niedenfuer would be placing a tremendous burden on Howell, who only has a half-season of big league experience. Howe threw curveballs for the first time Monday, and pitching coach Ron Perranoski said he was throwing at about 90% of his ability, but Howe has yet to appear in a game.

Eventually, the Dodgers may move Niedenfuer, but it’s doubtful a deal involving him will come before the April 1 interleague trading deadline.

The only roster position that still is undecided also involves the bullpen. Larry White, Tom Brennan and Carlos Diaz are competing for the last spot; Campanis said he will take all three back to Los Angeles for the Freeway Series against the Angels before making his decision.

Otherwise, this appears to be the 25-man roster:

Catchers (2)--Mike Scioscia and Steve Yeager.

Infielders (6)--Greg Brock, Steve Sax, Dave Anderson, Pedro Guerrero, Bill Russell and Bob Bailor.

Outfielders (7)--Al Oliver, Ken Landreaux, Mike Marshall, Candy Maldonado, Terry Whitfield, R.J. Reynolds and Jay Johnstone.

Pitchers (9)--Fernando Valenzuela, Jerry Reuss, Orel Hershiser, Rick Honeycutt, Bob Welch, Bobby Castillo, Ken Howell, Tom Niedenfuer, Steve Howe.

That still leaves the Dodgers to decide what to do with first baseman Sid Bream and catcher Jack Fimple. Campanis said he’ll probably take both players back to Los Angeles, but with Franklin Stubbs and Gilberto Reyes slated to play regularly at Albuquerque, a trade remains a possibility.

Oliver, the left fielder, is the only change in the starting lineup.

“Let’s face it, he’s done better than we anticipated,” Campanis said. “Originally, we looked at him as a backup outfielder and first baseman and pinch-hitter, but he’s been a plus beyond our expectations.”

Campanis also said he has all but abandoned his search for a third baseman. “Guerrero is coming along so well in the infield he’s made our job easier,” Campanis said. “I don’t think anybody, including the writers, says he can’t play third base.”

More observations from Campanis:

On Steve Sax: “Obviously Sax is the same Steve Sax he was before last year.”

On Mike Scioscia: “I think Scioscia is becoming one of the solid players on this ballclub, the unofficial captain of this team.”

On Dave Anderson: “I think he’s showing maturity. He was force-fed last year. He had his on-the-job training before 45,000 people. He’s getting his feet on the ground.”

On Mike Marshall: “Someday he’s going to pop 35, 40 home runs.”

On Bob Welch: “I told him, ‘You’re making me a liar. You’ve got a hangnail, a hip pointer, there’s something wrong with your groin, when are you just going to go out there and win 20 games?

“He’s come up with a changeup now, as good as Carl Erskine’s, Andy Messersmith’s, Al Downing, Johnny Podres. He can win 20.”

Dodger Notes

The Dodgers cut 10 players Monday. To Albuquerque went outfielders Ed Amelung, Tony Brewer, Ralph Bryant and Lemmie Miller and infielders Franklin Stubbs, German Rivera and Mariano Duncan. To Double-A San Antonio went Cecil Espy, who is being converted to shortstop from outfielder, and outfielders Jose Gonzalez and Mike Ramsey. Al Campanis said that he’d have to be “out of my mind” to trade Bryant, whom he said has “as much power and as quick a bat as anyone here” or the slick-fielding Duncan . . . X-rays on Bob Welch’s right hand, struck by a pitch from Atlanta’s Pascual Perez on Sunday, were negative . . . The Dodgers lost, 5-1, to Minnesota on Monday, collecting only six hits. Al Oliver drove in the Dodgers’ only run.