Blue Jays Want Gagne as Part of Deal for Koch

The Toronto Blue Jays have insisted on getting starter Eric Gagne from the Dodgers in exchange for closer Billy Koch, baseball sources said Wednesday.

The Dodgers have focused their efforts on acquiring Koch because he fits into their budget and would not cost them draft picks, but team officials are reluctant to trade Gagne.

Although he experienced growing pains in his first two full seasons, scouts still rave about Gagne’s potential.

The Dodgers would rather trade second-year starter Luke Prokopec for Koch, but sources said that the Blue Jays are determined to acquire Gagne.

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The Dodgers are one of many teams in talks with the Philadelphia Phillies about Scott Rolen, but the price for the standout third baseman appears to be too high.

The Phillies are seeking three major leaguers for Rolen, who can become a free agent after next season and has said he would not sign a multiyear deal with the club.

Philadelphia is interested in third baseman Adrian Beltre, Gagne and setup man Matt Herges. The Dodgers would have to offer at least two of those players to compete with other teams pursuing Rolen, sources said.

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Kim Ng, an executive with the New York Yankees for four seasons, has been hired as the Dodgers’ assistant general manager.

Ng, 33, who also served as the Yankee assistant general manager, was a protege of General Manager Dan Evans while they worked for the Chicago White Sox. Ng has a strong background in transaction rules and payroll matters.