Mota May Become Trade Bait

DETROIT -- Because they have few triple-A prospects, the Dodgers might have to trade reliever Guillermo Mota to acquire an impact hitter, two major league executives said Thursday.

The Dodgers hope to bolster the National League’s worst offense before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, with Florida Marlin third baseman Mike Lowell atop management’s wish list.

General Manager Dan Evans also is in the early stages of talks about other players, but the Dodgers can’t match the depth of big league-ready prospects in many organizations, the officials said.

Closer Eric Gagne and starter Odalis Perez have high trade value, but clubs know the Dodgers won’t trade them.

Relievers Paul Quantrill and Paul Shuey have high salaries, so Mota, 29, is expected to be the main target as talks intensify early next month.

The hard-thrower has made strides under pitching coach Jim Colborn, developing a sharp changeup and improving slider while displaying better mound presence.

Mota’s relatively low $675,000 salary probably won’t increase significantly next season because of his role, and the right-hander can’t become a free agent until after the 2006 season.

For those reasons, the Dodgers would be reluctant to trade Mota but, if they do so, might be able to get a player who consistently drives in runs, a Dodger executive said.

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Utility player Daryle Ward is scheduled to begin a four-day rehabilitation assignment today at double-A Jacksonville.

Ward has been sidelined because of tendinitis in his right wrist, and the Dodgers want the left-handed batter to begin building confidence at the plate before activating him from the disabled list.

Ward is batting .169 with no home runs and five runs batted in.

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A bench warrant has been issued for a Panorama City man charged with criminal trespassing for running onto the field May 21 at Dodger Stadium, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office said.

Oscar Villanueva, 26, failed to appear for arraignment in Los Angeles Superior Court to face a charge that carries maximum penalties of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The judge also issued a second warrant against Villanueva for a probation violation of an earlier charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

If Villanueva is stopped on a traffic violation, the warrants enable police to hold him in custody to face the charges, the spokesman said.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Cleveland Indians, three games.

Site -- Jacobs Field.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2 today, Channel 11 Saturday and Channel 13 Sunday.

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

Records -- Dodgers 37-28, Cleveland 26-38.

Record vs. Indians -- First meeting.

Today, 4 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (4-4, 4.72 ERA) vs. Brian Anderson (3-6, 4.68 ERA).

Saturday, noon -- Andy Ashby (0-4, 4.68) vs. Brian Tallet (0-0, 8.10).

Sunday, 10 a.m. -- Hideo Nomo (6-6, 2.74) vs. Billy Traber (2-3, 4.75).