Youngsters Won’t Be Traded

The poor performance of the Dodger offense might prompt club officials to consider trades to improve the batting order.

But two general managers said Wednesday it would be difficult for the Dodgers to acquire an impact hitter because of their prospect limitations in the minor leagues.

They added that teams are most interested in three young players the Dodgers have refused to trade: third baseman Adrian Beltre and pitchers Eric Gagne and Luke Prokopec.

Manager Jim Tracy said he would be reluctant to move Beltre, Gagne or Prokopec because they are the nucleus of the club’s future.

“If you’re going to get that over-the-hump-type guy, that’s not going to involve fringe-type people,” Tracy said. “There are some names you’re going to have to talk about and ask yourself the question down the road, do you have the answers for this?”

Interim General Manager Dave Wallace believes in a foundation of pitching, and trading Gagne and Prokopec is not on his to-do list.

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that good pitching is the backbone of most good teams, so you want to try to build depth more than anything,” said Wallace, not commenting on potential trades. “Somehow, at some point, you’re usually going to need some pitching during the year, and you’ve seen it every year on every staff.

“Obviously today, these days more than ever, you’ve got to have a strong pitching base. I believe in developing young players, especially young pitchers, because I believe in building depth with which to chose from.”

Catcher Chad Kreuter has helped Chan Ho Park reestablish himself as one of the majors’ top starters.

But Kreuter, 36, is nearing the end of his career, and Park, who turns 28 June 30, is only getting started.

“My goal in catching anybody is to not have them need me as a crutch, but to have me as a springboard to the next level,” said Kreuter, under contract through the 2003 season. “Chan Ho is in that period where he’s learning stuff every day, not only about himself but about the stuff that he possesses out on the mound.

“It’s just a matter of time before he says, ‘Hey, I don’t need you anymore,’ and that’s great. That’s the way it should be.”

The Dodgers have informed general manager candidates who are not under contract with other clubs that they will be contacted once the search process begins officially, baseball sources said.

The club has not requested permission to speak with candidates under contract, but has compiled “scouting reports” through back-channel inquiries, sources said.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ERIC GAGNE

(1-2, 4.75 ERA)

vs.

EXPOS’

TONY ARMAS JR.

(2-5, 4.06 ERA)

Olympic Stadium, 4 p.m. PDT

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

Update--Gagne, a native of Montreal, is making his first career start against the Expos. Armas, whose father, Tony, was a major league outfielder, is making his first appearance against the Dodgers.