Dodger Farm System May Get Early Test : Baseball: Uncertain status of 10 potential free agents raise its profile.

He has roamed the country studying players, and that’s a good thing, because Dodger Vice President Fred Claire might have to rely on his minor leaguers sooner than he anticipated.

The Dodgers have 10 potential free agents--11 if you count Manager Tom Lasorda--and the total could reach 25 players, depending on what avenue the players’ association takes if there is no collective bargaining agreement with the owners. Without an agreement, there probably will be no negotiations for free agents.

Should the owners declare an impasse and impose a salary cap, several Dodger players said they will not play. And if the owners and players do not reach an agreement by spring training, clubs will probably rely on their minor leaguers, although there is no guarantee they will cross picket lines.

Claire will not speculate on the possible chaos, but all of that aside, he and Dodger owner Peter O’Malley say they are pleased with their farm system.

“The flow of talent has resumed and the system is healthy and has rebounded,” O’Malley said.

Free agents include starting third baseman Tim Wallach and center fielder Brett Butler, starting pitchers Orel Hershiser and Kevin Gross and relievers Jim Gott and Roger McDowell. Combined, their salaries totaled $14.2 million of an overall $35.4-million payroll. Other free agents are Cory Snyder, Chris Gywnn, Mitch Webster and Jeff Treadway.

Claire would not indicate whom he wants back, but the Dodgers have a supply of outfield talent, led by Billy Ashley, that could spell the end of Butler’s career. And Claire said that third baseman Ron Coomer is ready to play in the major leagues, which could lessen Wallach’s chances to return. Wallach and Butler are coming off strong seasons.

Ashley is still suspect defensively--he plays left field--and he still strikes out more than he should, but he can hit the long ball and finished the season at triple-A Albuquerque batting .345 with 37 home runs and 105 runs batted in. Coomer also has power. He hit .338 with 22 home runs and 123 RBIs. But he has limited range in the field.

Highly touted center fielder Roger Cedeno and right fielder Todd Hollandsworth, once thought to need another year at Albuquerque, have good chances now to make the club in spring training, Claire said.

Obviously, Raul Mondesi, the lowest-paid player on the team last season, is the cornerstone of the outfield and would prefer to play center field, his natural position. But what this all points to is lower salaries and perhaps a trade of Henry Rodriguez, who is coveted by other clubs.

The most interesting questions concern Hershiser, who has spent his 11-year career as a Dodger, and Lasorda.

Claire said the farm system is deep in pitching, especially strong in the bullpen. The clubs’ two young stars, Darren Dreifort and Chan Ho Park, finished the season with sore elbows and were shut down for six weeks. Dreifort has progressed ahead of Park and has a chance to make the club next season, insiders say, but both need more seasoning.

“These were two young men who came into spring training with high visibility, and both made the major league club and pitched a lot more then they ever had in their careers,” Claire said. “I am not displeased in any way with what they did this season. These were tough stages for them. At some point, both of these players had to get through that barrier and they both showed poise and talent and they learned a lot and got through it. Neither one of them is scheduled to pitch winter ball because they need to rest physically.”

Regarding Lasorda, Claire said that he and O’Malley will meet with him during the winter, when a decision will be made. Sources say O’Malley would like to make a change, but doesn’t quite know how to do it, since Lasorda has shown undying loyalty in his 45 years with the organization and is still effective as a manager, a position he has held for 18 years. If there is a change, candidates include coaches Bill Russell and Reggie Smith, and Dodger major league scout Art Howe.

Dodger Notes

Jim Gott and former Dodger Lou Johnson will sign autographs and conduct a live auction of memorabilia Sunday at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium. The event, which begins at 5 p.m., is a benefit for the autistic program at Villa Esperanza School in Pasadena, which Gott’s son, C.J., attends. Tickets are $50. Details: (818) 449-2919.