BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : So Long, Offerman; Say Hello to Gagne

Shortstop Greg Gagne strolled into the Dodger clubhouse Monday afternoon and, before he could unpack his bags, found himself surrounded by beaming Dodger officials, teammates and a flock of reporters.

Gagne can talk all he wants about how he’s simply trying to fit in with a new team, but after four years of Jose Offerman, Gagne is being hailed as the Dodger savior.

“I’m not one guy who makes the whole team,” Gagne said. “I’m just one small part of this team. This team definitely has a chance to go to the World Series. Remember, last year they went to the playoffs without me.”

Still, even Gagne will concede that it should be a much easier transition replacing Offerman than Ozzie Smith. Gagne came close to signing a two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, and even informed the Dodgers that he wasn’t coming.

He changed his mind a day later and signed a one-year, $2.6-million contract with the Dodgers.

“I’m kind of glad I didn’t go to St. Louis because of the Ozzie Smith situation,” Gagne said. “It’s pretty messed up over there.”

Gagne, however, does have one request now that he’s with the Dodgers: He wants uniform No. 7, the one he has worn for nine years. It is being worn by left fielder Billy Ashley.

“I’m going to tell Ashley he’s too big for No. 7,” Gagne said. “He’s a 40 or 44, not a 7.”

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Rookie Todd Hollandsworth, who’s battling Ashley for the starting left field job, hasn’t regained the weight he lost after contracting bronchitis in the Dominican Republic. He weighs 204 pounds, eight pounds less than his normal playing weight. . . . The Dodgers signed infielder Juan Castro to a one-year contract.