Daly Supports Evans and Tracy

Moving to avert speculation about the status of General Manager Dan Evans and Manager Jim Tracy, a high-ranking Dodger executive Wednesday reaffirmed that the organization supports its top baseball-operations officials, under fire during the team’s worst slide since 1995.

Speaking on behalf of Chairman Bob Daly and President Bob Graziano, Derrick Hall, senior vice president, said management believes in Evans and Tracy and is united behind them during a difficult time for the Dodgers. As for what might occur once News Corp. sells the Dodgers to one of three bidders, Hall acknowledged he could not speak to that.

But Evans and Tracy are on solid ground now.

“A change in the manager and general manager has not even been discussed,” Hall said. “In fact, I spoke to Bob [Daly] today, and his reaction to me was, ‘What are you talking about? It’s not even an issue.’ We’re in this for the long term, but we realize that this is a frustrating time for the ballclub.

“We had won 10 straight just a few weeks ago [May 14-25], and people wondered if we would ever lose another game. Now, we have fans wondering if we will ever repair this slide. But the general manager and the manager are working on this situation each and every day, trying to find the fix.”

Although Evans and Tracy are signed through the 2004 season, the Dodgers’ 3-13 slide and National League-worst offense have increased the heat at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers had big expectations coming out of spring training, stirring questions about how things could have gone so wrong so quickly.

“We can’t put the blame on any one individual,” Hall said. “The players realize they have to do a better job, Dan is trying to find help and Jim is putting more pressure on his players and staff. These are not happy times for us, but we are not turning the other cheek.

“We have a general manager who is talking to every club to find a way to improve this team offensively, while the manager continues to try and make do with what he has in the meantime. They are both on the same page, realize the obvious and share the frustration that is being felt by the fans. We hope to turn it around.”

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Underscoring their dismal situation on offense, the Dodgers strongly considered sending standout starter Odalis Perez to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Trot Nixon, executives in the National and American leagues said.

The Dodgers on Sunday backed away from a multiplayer deal that would have brought them Nixon, who beginning play Wednesday was batting .315 with 13 home runs, 51 runs batted in and a .403 on-base percentage.

With center fielder and leadoff batter Dave Roberts on the disabled list and left fielder Brian Jordan announcing, as expected, he plans to undergo season-ending knee surgery, the Dodgers acknowledge they need another run-producing outfielder.

The Dodgers and Red Sox do not comment on trade talks, but Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein apparently believed the Dodgers were prepared to accept his offer, executives familiar with the situation said.

Dodger officials, though, insisted Evans wasn’t as eager to complete the deal, because Perez, 26, is considered a cornerstone of the team’s future.

Bob Watson, baseball’s administrator in charge of on-field discipline, fined Perez for the second time this season Wednesday for his conduct with umpires. Perez, who has had problems controlling his emotions, is in the process of appealing his first fine of $400.

The revelation that the Dodgers would even engage in lengthy trade talks regarding Perez indicates Evans really is willing to explore almost every option -- with the exception of trading All-Star closer Eric Gagne -- in an attempt find a spark for the batting order.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have rebuffed attempts by the San Diego Padres to acquire setup man Paul Shuey for either All-Star outfielder Rondell White or second baseman Mark Loretta, baseball executives said.

Evans and San Diego General Manager Kevin Towers declined comment on their talks, but Towers is eager to bolster the Padres’ bullpen, and believes Shuey would be a good fit. However, Towers won’t help the Padres’ NL West rival unless Evans takes another high-salaried player in the deal.

At this point, the Dodgers are unwilling to take on unwanted salaries to facilitate a trade, something done in the past to the detriment of the organization. And don’t expect to see Juan Gonzalez in a Dodger uniform this season, either.

Three AL clubs are aggressively pursuing the Texas Ranger outfielder, and the Dodgers do not have that level of interest. If the Dodgers do make a deal, prized pitching prospect Edwin Jackson will not be included.

Evans has told general managers that Jackson -- 4-6 with a 3.54 earned-run average for double-A Jacksonville -- is on the Dodgers’ very short list of untouchables.

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Concerned about comments made by Jack Clark, Evans and Tracy met with the batting instructor at the team hotel.

With the Dodgers trying to show a unified front amid adversity, Clark made veiled references to problems the club has managed to contain in the clubhouse, changes that might need to occur and big decisions the team faces.

Evans was especially troubled that Clark broached the topic of his possible firing because of the team’s offensive ineptitude.

“We had a brief conversation,” Evans said. “It was a private conversation, and I’m going to leave it at that.”

After the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, Clark said the situation had been resolved.

“Everything is cool,” he said. “They’re cool with everything, so there’s really nothing more to discuss.... Me and Danny needed to talk, and we talked about it with Trace. We’re all fine. We’re all on the same page.”

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Jordan finally made it official, saying he is scheduled for surgery Friday.

Specialist Richard Steadman will perform the procedure to reattach Jordan’s strained left knee tendon to the bone.

“With the proper rehab,” Jordan said, “there’s a 100% chance I’ll be ready for spring training.”

But it’s doubtful Jordan, who plans to do his rehabilitation work at Dodger Stadium, will be with the Dodgers next spring.

The club is expected to decline Jordan’s $10.5-million option for 2004, buying it out for $2.5 million. So, has Jordan played his last game as a Dodger?

“That’s the way I’ve got to look at it, but I hope not,” said Jordan, who in 66 games this season batted .299 with six home runs and 28 runs batted in. “They have the option. I’ve got to be prepared for next year regardless.”