NEW DAY, NEW PROBLEM

Working to trade all-star left fielder Gary Sheffield and avoid a showdown, the Dodgers received another jolt Tuesday when disgruntled reserve outfielder Devon White said he also wants to leave.

White reiterated his desire to be traded after the first full-squad workout at Dodgertown, surprising team officials who believed a temporary truce had been brokered with the 14-year veteran.

The seven-time Gold Glove award winner said he does not want to play for an organization that has treated him unfairly and “labeled” him as a problem.

White said he will “be a professional” and honor his contract, but he hopes to play elsewhere as soon as possible.

“I felt a lot last year was unfair, a lot of things they did to me,” said White, still owed $5.9 million from a three-year, $12.4-million deal. “They were unhappy with me, and I was unhappy with the organization. It was a mutual problem, so it’s best to move on.

“But I don’t want anything negative coming out as far as last year goes. That’s why I’m only going to make this statement once.”

Meanwhile, General Manager Kevin Malone continued to field proposals from clubs eager to acquire Sheffield, hoping to move the club’s franchise player before Tuesday, the mandatory reporting date.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Dodgers could take action against Sheffield after that date, but they would rather not further inflame the situation.

Just another day at Dodgertown, where turmoil has cast a shadow over spring training.

“There are obviously some things going on right now, some situations that have developed, but we feel very good about this team,” Malone said. “There are a lot of good things going on in this camp and we feel positive.

“We’re dealing with the challenges as a team, and we’re not going to let ourselves get down. The manager and the coaches are all on the same page, and so are all the players who are working to get ready for the season. Well, maybe 99% of the players.”

Sheffield’s demand to either be traded or given a lucrative contract extension has stirred anger and frustration from Chavez Ravine to Dodgertown, confusing weary team officials and forcing Malone to make the biggest trade of his career under duress.

Many factors have complicated the process, including Sheffield’s strong criticism of the organization--he claims he has been treated disrespectfully--his contract situation and his right to demand another trade after the 2001 season.

Two baseball executives said Malone has worked late into the night, laying groundwork for a deal that is expected to be completed before Sheffield must arrive.

The Dodgers are concerned that Sheffield’s presence would result in clubhouse resentment and a circus-like atmosphere.

“If you asked, ‘What would be an ideal target date to have something done?’ that one [Tuesday] would be good for obvious reasons,” Malone said. “Of course, we would prefer to have it done by then, but we can’t control that.”

Sheffield had hoped his Dodger career would end better.

“This is absolutely the last thing I wanted,” Sheffield said. “I wanted to be a lifetime Dodger, I wanted a lifetime contract, but I guess that’s not what they wanted.

“I don’t think [Chairman Bob Daly] is happy about this, but I’m not happy about it either. He’s disappointed and I’m disappointed. Imagine how I feel? My feelings have been lost these last three years [with the Dodgers].”

Malone said he has been deluged with proposals, but has not “heard any deals that are acceptable.”

He acknowledged that the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are high on the club’s list because of personnel matches.

The National League East rivals are aggressively pursuing Sheffield, who will not seek an extension to his six-year, $61-million contract or demand another trade if dealt to one of those teams.

“That’s someplace I would want to be,” Sheffield said in reference to either club. “You have to admire the Braves’ organization and what those guys have accomplished . . . and I’ve always liked playing in New York.”

The Dodgers are not trying to accommodate Sheffield.

However, they want catcher Mike Piazza or second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo from the Mets, or catcher Javy Lopez from the Braves because of their potential to replace Sheffield’s production.

“We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Malone said. “We’ve made that clear from the start of the process.”

But Sheffield seemingly has the most trade value with those clubs because of his contract stance.

Although Met General Manager Steve Phillips said Piazza and Alfonzo are not available, he has had numerous discussions with Malone since the weekend.

“Just because someone says, ‘No,’ in a trade discussion doesn’t mean a deal is dead, it could mean it’s just in a holding phase,” Malone said. “You can always change parts of a deal.”

The Dodgers are in a similar situation with the Braves, who are reluctant to trade Lopez.

“We’ve given [the Braves] the position that we’re interested in, and we told them we’d like to try to do something with them,” Malone said. “The ball is in their court, but I think they’re interested.”

They are.

“It gets your attention,” Manager Bobby Cox said. “He’s one of the most highly thought of hitters in baseball, so it’s intriguing.”

Players also are intrigued.

“He’s the whole package,” pitcher Tom Glavine said. “He’s a rare combination of a power guy who hits for average and will take a lot of walks.”

General Manager John Schuerholz has proceeded cautiously because blockbuster deals are not common at this point in the spring.

“I have made a number of deals that others initiated,” he said. “I keep myself open. This is very, very early in the process to be doing anything like that.”

Malone is not focusing exclusively on the Braves and Mets.

He would not confirm other offers, but sources said that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays--Sheffield was born in Tampa and has family there--have asked to be included in the process.

There also has been speculation about a three-way deal with the Chicago Cubs and Mets that would send Sheffield to the Mets and bring Cub all-star outfielder Sammy Sosa to the Dodgers.

However, a source said the Dodgers are reluctant to acquire Sosa because he can become a free agent after the season, and might seek as much as $20 million a season in a contract extension.

Daly declined to offer Sheffield an extension, in part, because of the club’s upcoming free-agent concerns and baseball’s unsettled labor situation.

“In the end, no one is going to ask, ‘How long did it take [to trade Sheffield]?’ Malone said. “All they’re going to ask is, ‘What did you get?’ ”

Dodger Notes

Pitcher Kevin Brown was hospitalized Monday night because of a heart arrhythmia caused by drinking too much caffeine, team physician Frank Jobe said. The right-hander was released Tuesday after undergoing tests and plans to rejoin workouts today. “All the tests were normal,” Jobe said. “We’re just not going to let him drink as much Coca-Cola.” . . . First baseman Eric Karros is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam because of back pain.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Mr. Clutch

Gary Sheffield’ 2000 statistics with runners in scoring position:

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Avg. AB Hits 2B 3B HR RBI SO SLG Gary Sheffield .357 126 45 4 2 10 66 16 .659 Rest of the team .242 1,243 301 58 7 44 480 280 .406

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