Offerman, Wallach Miss the Cut : Baseball: Dodgers will try to trade shortstop; DeShields, Butler and Candiotti do figure in team’s plans.

The Dodgers, determined to overhaul their infield, have decided not to bring back shortstop Jose Offerman or third baseman Tim Wallach next season.

But they will make every attempt to bring back second baseman Delino DeShields, veteran center fielder Brett Butler and knuckleballer Tom Candiotti.

“The objective is very clear to be better in 1996,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “And what we accomplished this past year will drive us.”

Perhaps the Dodgers’ most emotional decision was to cut loose Wallach, their clubhouse leader. They told him they will not exercise their option on him.

Wallach, who batted .266 with nine homers and 38 RBIs in 97 games, struggled most of the season because of back and knee injuries. He played the final month with a torn ligament in his left knee that eventually will require surgery.

There was no debate in deciding to part company with Offerman, who earned $1.5 million last season and is eligible for arbitration. Claire told Offerman and agent Adam Katz that they will try to trade him.

“He’s a player that lost his starting position, and wants to play every day,” Claire said. “We’ll do everything we can to help him out.”

It had appeared that DeShields would also be gone, particularly considering the play of Chad Fonville at shortstop, but the Dodgers reconsidered after DeShields’ play the final six weeks. He hit .306 and stole 13 consecutive bases in September.

“I want to come back, and now it looks like I will,” said DeShields, who is negotiating a multiyear contract.

The Dodgers have not figured out just where Fonville will play next season, but they will have an abundance of outfielders if they re-sign Butler, 38. They already are counting on Raul Mondesi and Todd Hollandsworth for two starting jobs, which could leave Billy Ashley and Roger Cedeno again out of the everyday lineup.

“It would put us in a position of strength,” Claire said. “I think he still help us.”