Sources Say Ballclub Is Looking for a GM

Although almost a month has passed since the forced resignation of former general manager Kevin Malone, the Dodgers insist they have not started a search for a permanent replacement.

However, that’s at odds with industry sources who said the Dodgers are compiling “scouting reports” on potential candidates through back-channel inquiries.

The Dodgers have played well under first-year Manager Jim Tracy, and Chairman Bob Daly is concerned that making the process public, at this point, might distract the club.

Tracy and interim General Manager Dave Wallace have worked well together, so Daly and President Bob Graziano are in no rush to fill the position.

“We will not comment on the general manager situation, nor should anyone be focusing on that right now,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president. “We have an interim general manager and a strong staff that has been able to keep the ship sailing.

“Dave has done a tremendous job in keeping the focus on our first-place [before Tuesday’s loss] team, and Jim Tracy has emerged because of that focus. Jim deserves credit because he has gained the respect of his players and coaches through his balanced use of communication, motivation, strategy and praise.”

But the Dodgers eventually will hire a general manager because Wallace, a special assistant in charge of the farm system, does not want the job.

Many baseball executives believe that John Hart of the Cleveland Indians and Billy Beane of the Oakland Athletics would be good choices to fix the problems at Chavez Ravine because they are proven administrators who would make necessary front-office changes.

But the Dodgers might face a bidding war with the Baltimore Orioles and other clubs for Hart, who will resign at the end of the season, and it appears Beane will not be able to get out of his contract.

Moreover, sources said Hart and Beane would want five-year contracts at $1 million to $1.5 million a season and total control of baseball operations.

Before hiring Malone, the Dodgers offered Dave Dombrowski $1 million a season in a failed attempt to lure him from the Florida Marlins, and the Dodgers continue to spend freely under Fox.

But Daly is not the type to sit quietly on the sideline and simply sign checks, so the Dodgers might pass on Hart in favor of someone who would accept working closely with the second-year chairman.

Canadian right-hander Eric Gagne was deluged with interview requests in advance of his first scheduled start Thursday against the Montreal Expos.

Gagne, who attended high school in Montreal, met with TV and newspaper reporters for almost two hours.

The Expos, who average about 11,000 a game, expect a crowd of at least 20,000 in the finale of the three-game series.

“I’m not concerned about it,” Tracy said of the attention Gagne received. “It’s always good for somebody to come home.

“I’m a big proponent of family. For a young man to have an opportunity to come back to where he grew up, and not only do that but have an opportunity to pitch, if it does anything it’s added incentive for him.”

Catcher Paul Lo Duca (strained left oblique muscle) took batting practice and is scheduled to join triple-A Las Vegas Thursday to begin a weekend rehabilitation assignment, Tracy said.

The Dodgers hope to activate Lo Duca Monday for a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Shortstop Tim Bogar (strained left hamstring) was one for four with a double for Las Vegas in his rehabilitation assignment. . . . Right-hander Andy Ashby (right elbow strain) resumed his throwing program on a flat surface.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(2-2, 4.93 ERA)

vs.

EXPOS’

BRITT REAMES

(2-4, 5.25 ERA)

Olympic Stadium, 4 p.m. PDT

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

Update--Dreifort is 2-1 with a 4.54 earned-run average in his career against the Expos. Reames, making his first appearance against the Dodgers, is 0-4 with a 7.58 ERA in his last five starts.