Trade for Giles Is Pursued

The Dodgers are willing to trade pitcher Odalis Perez for the right player, and it appears Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Brian Giles tops that very short list, baseball executives said Thursday.

It was recently revealed that the Dodgers strongly considered sending Perez to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Trot Nixon, backing away from the table after Perez’s dominant performance in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But trading Perez apparently would not be too high a price for the Dodgers to acquire Giles, a major run producer who is under contract through the 2005 season. In fact, executives familiar with ongoing discussions between General Manager Dan Evans and Pittsburgh General Manager Dave Littlefield said including Perez would be the easiest part of the deal for the Dodgers.

So, what’s the holdup?

Littlefield also wants the Dodgers’ top two pitching prospects -- Edwin Jackson and Greg Miller. Evans, who does not comment on trade talks, has told general managers Jackson and Miller are the only untouchables in the farm system, but Littlefield has held firm.

Jackson, a sixth-round pick in 2001, is 4-6 with a 3.54 earned-run average for double-A Jacksonville.

He was the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2002.

Many teams want Miller, a 6-foot-5 left-hander who was a first-round selection last season. He is 9-3 with a 2.85 ERA for Class-A Vero Beach.

If Evans maintains his current position on Jackson and Miller, the Dodgers probably won’t be able to acquire most of the front-line players in whom they’ve expressed interest, executives said.

But many within the Dodger organization have applauded Evans’ stance, saying the club must maintain its current philosophy of restocking the farm system, regardless of their problems at the plate.

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Although batting instructor Jack Clark said the situation stemming from his recent comments about the team had been resolved, Evans had not shut the door.

Evans planned to speak with Clark again today, and the conversation might help determine whether Clark completes the season.

“I still plan to have a follow-up,” said Evans, who declined to comment on whether Clark’s job is in jeopardy. “I’m going to leave it at that.”

With the Dodgers trying to show a unified front amid adversity, Clark made veiled references to the club’s internal problems, including the failure of high-priced players to produce consistently.

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

Manager Jim Tracy appeared uneasy while attempting to downplay the situation.

“It’s not a topic for conversation anymore, because then it becomes a major distraction to what we’re trying to do out here,” Tracy said.

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Chicago Cub Manager Dusty Baker said he is leaning toward San Francisco ace Jason Schmidt -- not Dodger ace Kevin Brown -- to start for the National League in Tuesday’s All-Star game.

And if Schmidt doesn’t start, Baker said Atlanta’s Russ Ortiz and Chicago’s Kerry Wood would be in line ahead of Brown, who missed Tuesday’s start because of a lower abdomen strain but appears to be on track to return Sunday against Colorado.

“Right now, I’m not considering Brown to start because he’s supposed to pitch Sunday,” Baker said in a conference call. “If he’s having any physical problems, it wouldn’t be good for him or the Dodgers for him to start on one day’s rest.”

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The Dodgers might put reserve infielder Ron Coomer on the disabled list because of an undiagnosed joint problem in his jaw.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Colorado Rockies, three games.

Site -- Coors Field.

Tonight -- 6.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2 today, Channel 13 on Saturday and Sunday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 48-42, Rockies 48-46.

Record vs. Rockies -- 3-3.

Tonight, 6 -- Hideo Nomo (9-8, 2.71) vs. Denny Stark (0-0, 4.22).

Saturday, 5 p.m. -- Andy Ashby (2-5, 5.35) vs. Jason Jennings (8-6, 4.66).

Sunday, noon -- Kevin Brown (10-4, 2.30) vs. Denny Neagle (2-2, 6.75).