Position-by-Position Breakdown

INFIELD

First base was an area of concern in the off-season and nothing appears to have changed. Outbid in attempts to trade for Richie Sexson and Derrek Lee, the Dodgers also rejected proposals for Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko, among others. The result? A committee of Robin Ventura, Olmedo Saenz, Paul Lo Duca and, possibly, Shawn Green.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre can become a free agent after the season, so it would be good for him to finally display consistency. Smooth-fielding Cesar Izturis is locked in at shortstop and Jolbert Cabrera and Alex Cora will platoon at second.

OUTFIELD

* Green was not pleased about experimenting at first base in spring training but was too nice to complain. He volunteered to change positions only if the Dodgers acquired Vladimir Guerrero, which they didn’t, and he’s comfortable back in right field.

The Dodgers have concerns about Green’s defense but won’t force the issue. The two-time All-Star is coming off shoulder surgery and might have to carry the offense again, so he already has enough to worry about.

The Dodgers need a full season from center fielder Dave Roberts, their sparkplug leadoff batter, who was slowed by leg injuries in 2003. New left fielder Juan Encarnacion brings tools to the table, but the Dodgers might be expecting too much production from him.

CATCHING

* Paul Lo Duca remains the starter, but David Ross is coming fast. Lo Duca made his first All-Star team last season and has emerged as a leader on the field. He continues to wear down in the second half, though, opening an opportunity for Ross.

Although some pitchers still prefer to throw to Lo Duca, Ross is an emerging receiver. Moreover, he displayed power in a limited role last season, hitting 10 home runs in 124 at-bats.

STARTING PITCHING

This isn’t last season’s group that led the major leagues in earned-run average. The Dodgers were delighted to trade Kevin Brown, and the $30 million he’s still owed, to the New York Yankees for Jeff Weaver. But who’s going to replace Brown’s 2.39 earned-run average over 211 innings?

Hideo Nomo is coming off shoulder surgery, Weaver is trying to revive his career after a bad experience in the Big Apple and Kazuhisa Ishii has revamped his delivery in an effort to become more consistent. Odalis Perez dazzled in spring training.

BULLPEN

* This isn’t last season’s group either. Workhorse setup man Paul Quantrill took his major league-high 89 appearances and 1.75 ERA to the Yankees. Paul Shuey will begin the season on the disabled list after suffering a ruptured tendon on his right (pitching) thumb and Guillermo Mota is out of sync after being slowed by a sore triceps.

The Dodgers have doubts about converted starter Darren Dreifort working out of the bullpen effectively, but they need him now. Closer Eric Gagne, the 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner, might get extra work early.

BENCH

* New General Manager Paul DePodesta decided more help was needed after observing the nonroster players the former regime brought to Dodgertown, making three trades in a four-day span to acquire versatile reserves. Utilityman Jason Grabowski and outfielder Jayson Werth will begin the season on the 25-man roster. Cody Ross, the other player acquired during DePodesta’s trading spree, might have a short stint at triple-A Las Vegas.

MANAGEMENT

* Jim Tracy seemingly has been on a hot seat for years, but his chair is on fire now. He’s in the last season of his contract and new owner Frank McCourt expects big results.

DePodesta has played it cool since being hired on the eve of spring training but don’t be fooled by his reserved approach. There’s only one chief in baseball operations these days, and DePodesta won’t settle for mediocrity.

-- Jason Reid