Malone’s Deadline Deals Look Good in Daly’s Eyes

General Manager Kevin Malone strengthened his position in reacquiring pitcher Ismael Valdes and center fielder Tom Goodwin before the non-waiver trading deadline.

Malone addressed Manager Davey Johnson’s biggest concerns and impressed Chairman Bob Daly, making deals with the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies despite prospect constraints. Daly last month decided Malone would return next season, baseball sources said, and Malone’s trade work has improved his relationship with Daly.

Valdes had a no-decision Tuesday in the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of a doubleheader at Three Rivers Stadium.

The right-hander pitched four innings after starting in Monday’s game postponed because of rain. He gave up four hits, including two runs on a home run, and struck out eight with three walks.

Goodwin started in center and batted leadoff. He was hitless in four at-bats with three strikeouts and a walk.

The Pirates won the opener, 6-0.

Malone moved to fill holes in the rotation and atop the batting order without trading the club’s few promising young players. There are doubts about Valdes’ desire and Goodwin’s ability to provide a consistent leadoff spark, but the clock was ticking and Malone had few options.

Daly said he chose wisely.

“Kevin did a very good job identifying areas we needed to improve, initiating talks with other general managers and then going out and making deals that helped the Dodgers but didn’t cost us our best prospects,” Daly said. “I sat in on a lot of the discussions Kevin had before both deals, and one thing I can say is that I’ve never seen more thorough homework done.

“Kevin had everything planned out to the last detail. He asked the questions he needed to ask to make sure we accomplished what we needed to and, again, his planning was the key. I know I learned a lot from watching and listening, and these deals have improved the club.”

The trades increased the payroll to more than $98 million, based on how it’s calculated by major league baseball. The payroll is about $92 million in actual salaries, $2 million more than opening day.

Daly said the Dodgers had enough talent to win the National League West before Malone began dealing.

The team must qualify for the playoffs for Johnson to return next season, sources said, so it appears Malone’s moves have increased the heat.

“All I’ve said is that I want to see the team play better and do the things it’s capable of doing,” Daly said. “We put together a good team in the off-season, and we’ve made more moves to do everything in our power to have the best possible team we could to win.”

*

Johnson spoke with Goodwin and Devon White before the doubleheader, explaining their roles the rest of the season.

The left-handed batting Goodwin will be the everyday center fielder and bat leadoff, bumping White to the bench. Goodwin said he doesn’t expect to be sidelined because of a minor hip injury.

White, a switch-hitter, will be the fourth outfielder. The 14-year veteran will start against left-handers and occasionally play left and right fields.

Malone would have traded White to the Milwaukee Brewers for Marquis Grissom had he not been able to get Goodwin from the Rockies.

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen right now,” White said. “Let’s just wait and see.”

TODAY

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(7-7, 4.46 ERA)

vs.

PIRATES’

JOSE SILVA

(7-4, 3.48 ERA)

Three Rivers Stadium, 10:30 a.m. PDT

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Dreifort is 3-0 with a 1.29 earned-run average in his last three starts. He is 4-4 with a 5.35 ERA in 12 appearances against the Pirates. Silva started in Monday’s game that was postponed because of rain. He is 0-2 with a 9.53 ERA against the Dodgers.