Efficiency Has Become a Top Priority

A $100-million payroll is the biggest reason the Dodgers cited losses of more than $50 million annually under News Corp.

There are other places to trim.

Executives from other clubs said the Dodgers could streamline many of their operations, and owners Frank and Jamie McCourt were in the process of implementing their business plan.

General Manager Paul DePodesta is analyzing baseball operations, and team sources said department heads were trying to operate more efficiently.

DePodesta apparently has not made suggestions about staffing or budgets, but some in the organization are getting ahead of the situation.

“What we want to do is try to be as efficient as possible and spend wisely. That’s our goal,” DePodesta said. “Just because we have resources, it doesn’t give us license to spend poorly.”

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Darren Dreifort, coming off knee and hip surgeries, is expected to throw batting practice Wednesday, Manager Jim Tracy said.

The injury-plagued right-hander recently began participating in fielding drills after initially being held out because of concerns about his knee.

“I really don’t ever think about it, I just go do it,” Dreifort said. “If it hurts the next day, it hurts. I’m not trying to evaluate it right after.”

The Dodgers might consider using Dreifort out of the bullpen this season.

“I love starting, but whatever,” he said. “Right now, I’m just to the point where I love having a uniform on and being able to pitch. That’s my preference.”

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Although Hideo Nomo’s surgically repaired pitching shoulder is responding well, the right-hander will not pitch in either of the team’s intrasquad games.

Many veteran pitchers are scheduled to work at least an inning either Monday or Tuesday at Holman Stadium, but pitching coach Jim Colborn said Nomo didn’t need the work with the exhibition season beginning Wednesday.

“The only issue at this point is getting him into his pitching condition, which is on track,” said Colborn of the team’s scheduled opening-day starter.

“I thought he’d be behind, but I don’t think he is. To use the Japanese phrase, some of them can make their condition in the bullpen. He falls into that category.”

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Don’t pencil in Shawn Green at first base yet.

The career right fielder is off to a slow start in the club’s attempt to convert him.

“There are some sessions where I feel like I’m getting a hang of it, and then there are some sessions where I feel like a fish out of water,” Green said. “We’ll see.”

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For the second consecutive year, All-Star closer Eric Gagne will be featured on the cover of the team’s media guide.

Gagne will be pictured in front of his 2003 National League Cy Young Award. A picture showing Gagne’s pumping his fist after a save was the main element on the 2003 cover.

“I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard about it,” Gagne said. “It’s overwhelming. It’s a great honor to be on it again.”

The Dodgers defeated Gagne in arbitration, but he’s still their cover guy.

“The media guide or $3 million? Yeah, I’d want the media guide,” Gagne said as he smiled and walked away.