Dodgers Talking With Righetti, Too : Baseball: Agent says pitcher is interested in playing in California.

Still hoping to fill a need that has not changed with the signing of Darryl Strawberry, the Dodgers have begun discussions with another New York star, Yankee free-agent relief pitcher Dave Righetti.

Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, spoke with Righetti’s agent, Bill Goodstein, Thursday. Although no contract figures were discussed, Goodstein said he made it clear that Righetti would like to return to his home state of California.

“Dave has told me a number of times that he has a tremendously strong interest in settling down in California and playing for the Dodgers,” Goodstein said. “He has an excellent relationship with Manager Tom Lasorda and feels that the Dodgers and he could be a good fit.”

Righetti, 31, is baseball’s left-handed save leader with 224. He was fifth in the American League in 1990 with 36 saves. Since moving from the starting rotation to the bullpen in 1984, he has averaged 32 saves a season.

Righetti is a native of San Jose, and his wife, Kandice, is from Orange County. After protracted and sometimes bitter negotiations, Righetti nearly signed with the Dodgers in the winter of 1987 before returning to the Yankees with a three-year contract.

Righetti would fill what has been a void since the departure of Steve Howe in 1985. Last season, six Dodger left-handers combined for two saves.

Claire said discussions with Righetti “come under the heading of our need for left-handed relief.”

Added Claire, “That need has our attention and our interest. That need is at the top of our list.”

The Dodgers also have had discussions with Ken Dayley, a free-agent reliever from St. Louis.

“Although our interest in free agency decreases in a significant fashion after signing Darryl, we continue to look at free agents,” Claire said. “You can’t rule anybody out.”

The Dodgers’ other remaining need, for a starting pitcher, could also be filled through free agency. They have had extensive discussions with the representative for Tom Browning, the left-handed free-agent pitcher from Cincinnati.

They are also considering Ted Higuera, the left-hander from Milwaukee, and have not ruled out getting serious with right-handers Bob Welch of Oakland or Mike Boddicker of Boston.

“Yes, we have talked,” confirmed Jim Bronner, agent for Browning, although he added that the Dodgers have not made an offer.

“We haven’t gotten to that point yet,” Bronner said. “We were prepared to move quickly to sign with the Reds, but that has fallen through.”

Separating the Dodgers and Browning is Browning’s hope for a five-year contract, which Claire said the Dodgers are reluctant to give anybody after signing Strawberry to a similar deal.