DODGERS : Wealth of Starting Pitchers, Infielders Spurs Trade Speculation

Beginning with the start of their spring training schedule today against the Detroit Tigers, the Dodgers are faced with an unusual task.

While most clubs use their exhibition games to decide who will make the team, the Dodgers must decide who will be traded.

Heads are already turning and whispers are beginning in a clubhouse with too many starting pitchers, too many infielders, and no sure left-handed relievers.

Fittingly, nobody is more in limbo than the man whose locker is in the center of that clubhouse.

“I want to stay here, I don’t want to leave,” pitcher Mike Morgan said. “But I would not be surprised if I am traded.

“I never get any respect. And I don’t know if they want me around just to be an insurance policy.”

Morgan, 31, may be the first person to tie for the league lead in shutouts--four--and lose his job in the off-season. With the acquisition of Bob Ojeda and Kevin Gross, Morgan’s only hope seems to be pitching in the bullpen.

“I will never complain, but it is hard for me to have to come to camp every year and try to win a job even though one year I come with a 2.53 earned-run average (1989) and this year I have the four shutouts,” Morgan said. “I’m still young, I’m still in my prime. I know my time will come. I just hope it is here. But I don’t know.”

The Dodgers loved Morgan’s 2.93 ERA last August when the pennant race heated up. But they cringe when they remember his 6.35 ERA in September.

He was the leading ground-ball pitcher in the major leagues last year, with 2.35 grounders allowed for every fly ball. But those grounders often find holes, and his career winning percentage of .361 (53-94) is the worst among active major league pitchers with at least 100 decisions.

Besides Morgan, look for the Dodgers to closely monitor the progress of Jose Offerman, the rookie shortstop who has probably been forced into a starting role because of Alfredo Griffin’s bad back.

If the Dodgers decided they cannot rely on Offerman, sources say the team will talk with St. Louis if the Cardinals decide to offer disgruntled Ozzie Smith.

Management will also be watching the bullpen, where John Candelaria is a candidate to be the Dodgers’ left-handed reliever.

If Candelaria doesn’t work out, sources say the Dodgers will pursue Dan Plesac of the Milwaukee Brewers. Plesac was made unavailable when the Dodgers asked about him this winter, but they could offer several players to the Brewers this spring.

Besides Morgan, starters Jim Neidlinger and Mike Hartley and relievers Dennis Cook and Dave Walsh are candidates.

Manager Tom Lasorda loves the thought of both Lenny Harris and Mike Sharperson on his bench this season. Especially if Jeff Hamilton’s shoulder does not hold up at third base, or if Juan Samuel falters at second base. But both Harris and Sharperson are valuable commodities, and if the Dodgers find a good reliever, they may have no choice but to trade them.

Dodger Notes

Darryl Strawberry has changed his mind and will play Saturday in the Dodgers’ second game at the New York Mets’ spring home in Port St. Lucie. He says he will skip only the Dodgers’ first game there Friday. . . . Strawberry, who missed both intrasquad games, will play in his first game as a Dodger today. He warmed up Wednesday by hitting five balls at least 500 feet in batting practice. One long shot separated a large branch from a tree. . . . Tim Belcher, Dennis Cook and Jay Howell will pitch for the Dodgers today against the Tigers. In a prelude for the primarily left-handed hitting Dodgers, the Tigers will use three left-handers and a right-hander. . . . Tom Lasorda phoned former Dodger Kirk Gibson at the Kansas City camp and brought several players into his office to exchange joking insults with Gibson. . . . Eddie Murray has a sprained left ankle, but worked out Wednesday.