DODGERS AT A GLANCE

* BIGGEST QUESTION: Who’s on first? Eric Karros is the proven incumbent, hitting at least 30 home runs with 100 runs batted in the last three seasons. But Karros is being pushed by prized rookie Paul Konerko. At triple-A Albuquerque last season, Konerko batted .323 with 37 home runs and 127 RBIs--and was selected the consensus minor league player of the year. Trying to create an opening for Konerko, the Dodgers left Karros unprotected in the expansion draft and may trade him. Look for Konerko to get a lot of at-bats in the spring. If he excels and the Dodgers find a taker for Karros, the face at first will change.

* SUREST BET: Catcher Mike Piazza will soon become the game’s highest-paid player. The Dodgers aren’t expected to meet Piazza’s self-imposed Sunday deadline to agree on a multiyear contract extension, meaning they could lose him in free agency after the season. Piazza, who will make $8 million this season, is coming off his best season, and he’s expected to become baseball’s first $100-million player. Whether he does so as a Dodger, though, remains to be seen.

* JOB SEEKERS: There are many. Scott Radinsky and Antonio Osuna are the leading candidates to succeed retired closer Todd Worrell. The Dodgers hope that Osuna, who is five years younger than Radinsky, wins the job decisively. Then there’s the competition for the fifth starter’s job between Darren Dreifort (management’s choice) and Dennis Reyes. And although outfielders Roger Cedeno and Todd Hollandsworth are expected to start in center and left, respectively, they must show something.

* WHAT, ME WORRY? Having completed his first full season, Bill Russell has experienced the pressure of being Dodger manager. But the constant scrutiny hasn’t changed him. “Everyone has an opinion, all you can do is do the best you can and try to keep learning,” he said. “This is a learning process for me every day just like it is for the players every day.”

* WORST-CASE SCENARIO: Konerko’s development is impeded as he sits on the bench, creating friction in the clubhouse. Cedeno proves he’s not an everyday player. Hollandsworth proves he’s the player of last season (.247 average), not the player of ’96 (rookie of the year). Radinsky and Osuna aren’t as good as Worrell on his worst days. Martinez’s shoulder remains a problem, and Nomo’s elbow wasn’t his only problem. Piazza’s contract situation is a major distraction.

* BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Konerko plays regularly . . . somewhere. Cedeno builds on his progress of last year before a foot injury ended his season. Hollandsworth provides needed left-handed power. Osuna grows into the closer role, allowing Radinsky to remain the left-handed set-up man. Martinez and Nomo deliver 200-plus innings, and Park and Valdes move closer to stardom. The Dodgers and Piazza agree on a contract extension, and the team wins its first playoff game/series in a decade.