BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Lasorda Bemoans Speed-Up Rules

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda ridiculed baseball’s new guidelines for speeding up the game, wondering aloud who could possibly be complaining besides reporters.

“Why would they want to speed up the game,” Lasorda said. “Who’s complaining except for the sportswriters? You know how much mail I receive each day. And out of all those boxes of mail, never, ever, have I gotten one letter complaining about the length of a game.

“What’s wrong with this game? This game has been handed down from generation to generation. I mean, what is the difference between a three-hour game and a 3-hour 10-minute game?

“I’m not speaking for the Dodgers, or the ballclub, I’m speaking for Tom Lasorda, and I say leave the game the way it is.

“What they ought to do is worry about getting a [basic] agreement, that’s what they ought to do.”

Lasorda then stopped, and asked who was in charge of the new rule changes, designed to shorten the games by at least 20 minutes.

When told it was former umpire Steve Palermo, Lasorda said: “Well, I don’t want to say anything against Palermo. He’s Italian.”

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The Chicago White Sox offered all-star third baseman Robin Ventura to the Dodgers in a preliminary trade proposal, according to sources, but the Dodgers said they have no interest.

Ventura, 28, who has driven in more runs than any third baseman the last five years, has a hefty contract. He is earning $5.1 million this season and is scheduled to earn $5.975 million in 1996, $6 million in 1997 and $6.1 million in 1998 or a $125,000 buyout.

The Dodgers must decide within five days after the World Series whether to exercise the $1.5-million option on Tim Wallach’s contract.

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Montreal Expo left-handed pitcher Jeff Fassero, coveted by the Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds, probably will stay put, Expo General Manager Kevin Malone said.

“The only way I’m trading him is if somebody makes me a deal I can’t refuse,” Malone said, “and I don’t see that happening right now. I can see why people want him. He’s making $1.5 million, which is affordable, and he’s not eligible for free agency for two more years.

“I’m all ears, but I just don’t see anything happening right now.”

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Second baseman Delino DeShields, saying he still needs a few extra days, was kept out of the lineup for the ninth consecutive game. “If I feel I can go out there and play, and contribute the way I can, I’ll be there,” DeShields said. “I want to give it a few more days. Plus, we’re playing pretty good. If I go out there, I don’t want us to take a step back. I want to give us a kick in the butt.” . . . . Hideo Nomo was fitted Friday for an acrylic nail for his start Sunday, saying, ‘It looks beautiful.”