Evans Might Be the Man to Get Team Fiscally Fit

The Dodgers are downplaying the hiring of longtime baseball executive Dan Evans, stressing that the club’s new senior advisor is only under contract for the remainder of the season.

But officials with other teams believe Evans is a viable candidate to become the next general manager.

Many said the former Chicago White Sox assistant general manager is one of the major leagues’ most prepared executives, and an expert in transaction rules.

“My biggest challenge is that I’m joining a club 60 games into a season,” said Evans, who accompanied the Dodgers on the trip. “I have to learn this club, its tendencies, the manager, the coaching staff, the support staff and the front-office people.

“My big thing right now is that my learning curve is significant. My goal is to encompass as many areas as my responsibilities will take. I’m not exactly sure where those lines are. I really don’t know yet.”

After he resigned from the White Sox in October, Evans assisted major league baseball in arbitration hearings against players.

In that role, baseball sources said, Evans strengthened his reputation as an informed contract negotiator.

There has been favorable industry reaction to the Dodgers’ latest hire because of the club’s player contracts under Fox.

From Kevin Brown’s record-setting $105-million deal in 1998 to Darren Dreifort’s $55-million contract in December, the Dodgers are considered by some to be reckless spenders.

That’s a problem for other teams because contracts are compared to establish salaries in arbitration and free agency.

Will Evans help the Dodgers become fiscally prudent?

“I have to keep my focus short-term,” said Evans, assisting interim General Manager Dave Wallace in front-office duties on the major league level.

“I came in here with an understanding that I was going to do all I could to help this ballclub for the next four months. Quite honestly, if I don’t maintain that focus, it’s not fair to me or the Dodgers.”

And then there’s the Wallace factor.

Wallace is expected to resume his duties overseeing the farm system once Chairman Bob Daly hires a permanent replacement after the season, but Wallace has not ruled out retaining his current position.

Although he has family concerns that might stop him from pursuing the job, Wallace is noncommittal about the situation.

“I haven’t given any thought to beyond the day I’m trying to work on, and I mean that,” he said. “I keep saying it all the time: ‘You have to focus on the present in this job.’ ”

Gary Sheffield is expected to be activated from the disabled list today after taking batting practice for three consecutive days.

Sheffield said team medical personnel told him his severely sprained left index finger might need a month to completely heal, but that he could return if swelling around his knuckle decreased.

Manager Jim Tracy said Sheffield has not experienced pain after batting, and has increased finger flexibility.

“I’m encouraged,” Tracy said.

Angel Pena might be designated for assignment to make room for Sheffield on the 25-man roster.

The little-used catcher has appeared in only 22 games, has not started since May 27 and is batting only .204 with one home run and two runs batted in.

Starter Andy Ashby (strained right elbow) might pitch in two more bullpen sessions before he makes a rehabilitation start, Tracy said.

“He’s champing at the bit,” Tracy said. “But there’s still a procedure to follow.”

ON DECK

Opponents--Dodgers vs. Angels, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 5 today and Sunday; Channel 11 on Saturday.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330), XPRS (1090); KMPC (1540) tonight and Sunday, KLAC (570) on Saturday.

Records--Dodgers 33-27, Angels 29-29.

Season series (2000)--Angels won, 4-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

GIOVANNI CARRARA

(0-0, 0.66 ERA)

vs.

ANGELS’

ISMAEL VALDES

(3-3, 3.90 ERA)

Update--Carrara, 33, is making his first start of the season because Eric Gagne was demoted to the bullpen Monday. The journeyman right-hander, who pitched one-third of an inning in Tuesday’s 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, also started 14 games for the Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds from 1995-97. Carrara, whose contract was purchased from triple-A Las Vegas on May 8, has given up only four hits and has 10 strikeouts with four walks in 13 2/3 innings. Manager Jim Tracy said Carrara would be limited to about 90 pitches. “He’ll be fine,” Tracy said. “I expect him to do a very good job for us.”

Saturday, 1 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (7-4, 2.86) vs. Ramon Ortiz (4-4, 4.27).

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Terry Adams (2-2, 5.19) vs. Jarrod Washburn (4-4, 4.45).

Tickets--(323) 224-1HIT.