Mills Could Be on Trading Block

Dodger officials wanted Alan Mills to be part of their plan to rebuild the ballclub, so they signed the right-handed setup man to a three-year, $6.5-million deal in December 1998.

But Dodger plans change often these days.

The team scrapped its previous strategy after going 77-85 last season despite an $83-million payroll. Now it appears Mills won’t remain long enough to see how the new design fares.

General Manager Kevin Malone might trade for a left-handed reliever because Onan Masaoka is the only veteran lefty in camp. And Masaoka, 22, is beginning his second season after struggling at times as a rookie in the No. 2 left-hander’s role last season.

Mills is a main candidate to be traded because the Dodgers have a glut of setup men with the off-season arrivals of Terry Adams and Gregg Olson. Moreover, Mills is the highest paid among the group. The eight-year veteran will make $2.25 million this season and $3 million next season in the final year of his contract.

And then there’s the Adrian Beltre situation.

Chairman Bob Daly and agent Scott Boras will attempt to negotiate a multiyear contract for the young third baseman after they arrive at Dodgertown tonight.

Beltre’s new deal probably will add another multimillion-dollar package to the payroll, already projected at $90 million without his raise.

So trading Mills also would make sense if Daly wants to hold the payroll at its current figure.

*

Manager Davey Johnson will be watching nonroster reliever Mike Fetters when Grapefruit League play begins Friday against the Houston Astros.

The right-hander has thrown well to this point after rehabilitating from elbow surgery to remove bone chips. Fetters was 1-0 with a 5.81 ERA for Baltimore last season.

The nine-year veteran will make $550,000 if he makes the opening-day roster, with the chance to make another $550,000 through incentives.

Fetters, 35, will receive $10,000 per month if he doesn’t make the team and accepts a minor-league assignment.