No Big Deals on Deck

Since completing four deals involving 14 players in the 48 hours preceding the July 31 trading deadline, General Manager Paul DePodesta says he does not anticipate another summer blockbuster.

“Hopefully, I won’t feel the need to do something that drastic again,” DePodesta said. “I don’t expect this type of overhaul, certainly not every year and hopefully not again in my tenure.”

The Dodgers hired DePodesta on the eve of spring training, too late to make substantial changes to the roster he inherited. He suggested a parallel between his trade of All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca and the San Francisco Giants’ trade of All-Star third baseman Matt Williams in 1996, the first major deal made by San Francisco General Manager Brian Sabean.

For Williams, the Giants got infielder Jose Vizcaino, pitcher Julian Tavarez and a lightly regarded infielder, Jeff Kent, who blossomed into one of the best-hitting second basemen in history.

“I never had an off-season,” DePodesta said. “I never had an opportunity to move guys around and make a big deal and fill some holes. Brian Sabean got to the Giants, and he traded Matt Williams in November, and everybody called him an idiot.

“I didn’t have November. Now I’m an idiot in July.”

DePodesta said he hoped to build a foundation with pitcher Brad Penny and first baseman Hee-Seop Choi, acquired from the Florida Marlins in the trade for Lo Duca, and outfielders Milton Bradley and Jayson Werth, acquired during spring training. Surprisingly, given their history of poor plate discipline and DePodesta’s stated emphasis on it, shortstop Cesar Izturis and second baseman Alex Cora remain integral to the Dodgers.

“My reputation isn’t too terribly accurate,” DePodesta said. “Both those guys bring an awful lot to the table. It’s not necessarily all about how many times you walk. There’s a little bit more to every player than that.”

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Manager Jim Tracy spent Monday’s day off at the family home in Hamilton, Ohio, just outside Cincinnati, visiting his seriously ill father. Tracy’s father, 77, also named Jim, is fighting cancer that originated in his prostate and has spread throughout his body.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Cincinnati Reds, three games.

Site -- Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2.

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

Records -- Dodgers 65-45, Reds 54-57.

Record vs. Reds -- 0-3.

Tonight, 4 PDT -- Jose Lima (10-3, 4.01) vs. Aaron Harang (7-3, 4.31).

Wednesday, 4 p.m. PDT -- Jeff Weaver (9-10, 3.93) vs. Brandon Claussen (1-2, 4.98).

Thursday, 9:30 a.m. PDT -- Wilson Alvarez (6-3, 3.32) vs. Paul Wilson (9-3, 4.14).