Wallace Hasn’t Spent Much Time on Farm

Interim General Manager Dave Wallace has not focused on the farm system because the Dodgers are in playoff contention.

Wallace has been too busy to complete his evaluation of players, personnel and procedures, but is not concerned about the delay.

“Obviously, I wish I could have spent some more time myself, physically getting out there,” said Wallace, rehired to direct the farm system. “But given the circumstances this year, it was just difficult to do that.

“So while you always want to do more, you still have a little bit of a pulse on what’s going on in the minor leagues. We’re going to address those situations once this winds down and we get into the winter.”

Wallace has already addressed one situation by firing Jerry Weinstein, former director of player development.

Weinstein, a community college baseball coach before he joined the organization, was the first of several officials expected to be ousted or reassigned as Wallace and Dan Evans, his top assistant, reorganize their support staff. Wallace declined to reveal specifics of his plan, but acknowledged more changes are on the horizon.

“One of the things you have to be careful about is not to make moves just to make ‘em,” he said.

“You have to decide what you want to try to accomplish, the qualities you might want to think about becoming involved in the organization, and then go from there.

“You’ve got to take your time and see what’s available. I don’t think they’ll be a major overhaul, but they’ll be some tweaking here and there.”

Evans, who might succeed Wallace as the club’s top baseball executive, is on a 12-day tour of the farm system.

“He’s been in Wilmington [N.C.], Vero Beach [Fla.] and Jackson [Fla.],” Wallace said. “He’s getting a feel for what I kind of have a little bit of a feel for.”

Wallace said he and Evans might consider rehiring some of the longtime Dodger minor league officials fired after the 1998 and ’99 seasons.

“Obviously, if there’s an opportunity to bring back quality Dodger people into the fold, that’s something you think about,” he said. “But a lot of those people have good jobs elsewhere. They’re making significant impact in other organizations.”

*

Luke Prokopec has been moved to the bullpen because Kevin Brown will be activated Tuesday to start against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

Manager Jim Tracy will not announce decisions about the rotation until it is determined how often Brown can pitch.

Prokopec understands the situation.

“What are you going to do?” he said. “Take Brownie out of the starting rotation for Prokopec?”

Struggling outfielder Tom Goodwin, demoted to pinch-hitting duty, has started twice since July 20.

Tracy has given Goodwin opportunities, but he is batting .121 with a .167 on-base percentage since the All-Star break.

The Dodgers owe Goodwin $3.25 million in 2002. He has a $3.75-million option for 2003, which can be bought out for $500,000.

TODAY

DODGERS’ TERRY ADAMS

(9-6, 3.76 ERA)

vs.

BRAVES’ GREG MADDUX

(17-7, 2.86 ERA)

Turner Field, 10 PDT

TV--Channel 5.

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

Update--Adams was chased in the fifth inning Wednesday in an 8-6 loss to the Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium. The right-hander gave up nine hits--including a home run--and four runs in 41/3 innings. Maddux has a 4.68 earned-run average in five starts this month. The four-time Cy Young Award winner is 10-5 with a 2.84 ERA against the Dodgers.