Dodger Errors Out in the Open : Expansion: Hansen, Young, Goodwin, Rodriguez won’t be on protected list.

For most teams, the list of 15 players who will be protected from the Nov. 17 expansion draft will highlight the organization’s best prospects.

For the Dodgers, it will have quite the opposite effect.

With probably six veterans on their list, the Dodgers will have to admit which youngsters have not made the grade.

Dave Hansen is out. Eric Young is out. Henry Rodriguez is out. Tom Goodwin is out.

The list will also remind everyone of their horrible season, because two players who played more than 125 games--Lenny Harris and Mike Sharperson--will not be included.

Another player might be the first Dodger selected, though. That could be Roberto Mejia, the organization’s top second baseman, who excelled at Class-A Vero Beach.

The Dodgers hope Mejia, who had 12 homers in 96 games in the Florida State League’s major league-size ballparks, is overlooked.

But if they decide to protect him, one of the following 15 players must be taken off the list.

Catchers--Mike Piazza, Carlos Hernandez.

They must protect both because either could be the starter next season.

Pitchers--Pedro Astacio, Ramon Martinez, Pedro Martinez, Orel Hershiser, Greg Hansell, Kevin Gross, Tom Candiotti.

They could leave Gross unprotected because he has only one year left on his contract, but then they would lose their most tradeable commodity.

And the Dodgers believe you can never have too much pitching, as evidenced by the protection of Hansell, who starred at double-A San Antonio.

Infielders--Eric Karros, Jose Offerman.

Outfielders--Darryl Strawberry, Brett Butler, Billy Ashley, Raul Mondesi.

Yes, Strawberry might not play at full strength again until next June because of back surgery. But he does have three years remaining on his contract, and if the Dodgers don’t think he can help them win, they could certainly use him in a trade.

Eight Dodgers--Eric Davis, Mike Scioscia, John Candelaria, Roger McDowell, Bob Ojeda, Mitch Webster, Dave Anderson and Jim Gott--are eligible for free agency. Webster and Anderson declared on Tuesday, so they no longer are considered part of the roster and do not have to be protected.