Wallach Comes Home to Dodgers : Baseball: They trade minor leaguer to Montreal for veteran third baseman to solidify infield.

The first time Tim Wallach met Tom Lasorda was at University High in Irvine, when the Dodger manager stopped by to give Wallach and his teammates a motivational speech.

Now, Wallach can hear those speeches all the time. The Dodgers acquired the 12-year veteran Thursday as their everyday third baseman from the Montreal Expos for Tim Barker, a minor league shortstop.

Wallach called it a Christmas present.

“This was a surprise,” he said from his home in Huntington Beach. “I hadn’t heard anything, even though I knew the Expos wanted to deal me. I’m just glad it was the Dodgers.

”. . . I wasn’t comfortable knowing the Expos wanted me out. We’re excited because it means I’m coming home and have the chance to be with family.”

Wallach, 35, is a three-time Gold Glove winner and a five-time All-Star. He played third base for Montreal his entire career until last season, when he split time between first and third after a spring that included rumors of a trade to the Dodgers.

Wallach’s last two seasons have not been memorable offensively, and last season was his worst. He hit .223 with nine home runs and 59 runs batted in. He has a lifetime batting average of .259 with 204 homers and 905 RBIs.

Wallach leaves a team that went from last place in the National League East in 1991 to second place last season.

“I wouldn’t have gone to a team that didn’t have a chance to win,” said Wallach, whose approval was required for the trade. “. . . I think I can help make (the Dodgers) a better team. I think there’s a lot of good baseball left in me.”

Wallach will join an infield of Eric Karros at first base, Jody Reed at second and Jose Offerman at shortstop. The trade means that newly acquired Cory Snyder probably will be used as a reserve.

“We are very pleased to acquire Tim in that he fills the needs of our club exceptionally well,” Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, said. “Tim gives us a proven third baseman and I know he is anxious to help our ballclub.

“At the conclusion of last season, we wanted to improve our club at third base, second base and getting a closer for our bullpen. With the addition of Tim, Jody and Todd (Worrell), we have filled those needs, and the signing of Cory Snyder has given us added depth.”

The Expos said the move was an economic one. The Dodgers inherit Wallach’s two-year contract at $3.2 million for 1993 and $3.4 million in 1994. Wallach also had an option for 1995, but dropped it so the Dodgers would agree to the trade. The Expos will use rookies Sean Berry and Frank Bolick at third base.

Wallach played in 150 or more games in 10 of his 11 full seasons in the majors and is the Expos’ all-time hits leader with 1,694. He has never been on the disabled list.

In 1979, Wallach led Cal State Fullerton to the College World Series title. Before that, he attended Saddleback Junior College.