Green Might Be First Option

Shawn Green took grounders at first base during the Dodgers’ first voluntary winter workout Friday, fueling speculation that the outfielder will move to the infield to clear the way for a new right fielder. Topping the Dodgers’ wish list is Vladimir Guerrero, a free-agent slugger.

“But don’t read too much into [Green] taking ground balls there -- he does that every day in batting practice during the season,” General Manager Dan Evans said. “Green is an option at first base. He volunteered [to switch] knowing it makes it easier for us to explore options. It’s January. We can do things like this now and evaluate whether it makes any sense in April.”

It would make plenty of sense if the Dodgers could land Guerrero, a .323 hitter who has averaged 33 home runs and 100 runs batted in for seven years and is, by far, the most attractive free agent left on the market. But the chances of one of baseball’s premier right-handed power hitters playing in Los Angeles this season seem remote.

Evans has been in contact with Guerrero’s agent for the last month, but with News Corp. on the verge of selling the Dodgers to Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt, and neither party apparently eager to drastically alter the structure of the deal, it will be difficult for the Dodgers to commit to a superstar who already has a five-year, $65-million offer from the Baltimore Orioles and is looking for more.

Guerrero’s original asking price was in the eight-year, $145-million range, and the former Montreal Expo star reportedly came down to seven years and $105 million. An Oriole source said the team had “made significant progress” in negotiations this week. The New York Mets have made an offer, reportedly for three years and $30 million.

The Dodgers, concerned about Guerrero’s back problem, don’t want to offer more than five years. Guerrero, 28, sat out most of last June because of a herniated disk in his lower back. He chose rehabilitation over surgery and came back to hit .353 with 17 homers and 46 RBIs after the All-Star break.

Even excluding Guerrero, the list of outfielders available through trade or free agency is far more attractive than the list of first basemen. So, Green will spend winter workouts at Dodger Stadium practicing at first base, just in case.

“There’s more to it now,” said Green, who underwent surgery last October on his right -- non-throwing -- shoulder but is expected to be 100% by spring training. “They asked if I’d be willing to do it, and I said yeah, if it’s the right thing for the club.... It would be a big adjustment, but as long as I have adequate time to prepare, I would feel confident about it. Other guys, like [Angel center fielder Darin] Erstad, have made the switch and done a good job.”

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Pitcher Jeff Weaver, acquired from the New York Yankees for right-hander Kevin Brown in December, attended Friday’s workout, eager for a fresh start after a disappointing 2003 season in which the former Detroit Tiger ace was demoted to the Yankee bullpen, went 7-9 with a 5.99 earned-run average and gave up the game-winning home run to Florida’s Alex Gonzalez in the 12th inning of Game 4 of the World Series.

“I was over-analyzing everything, trying to make too many corrections, and I never really knew where I stood -- I was in the rotation one day, the bullpen the next,” said Weaver, a Simi Valley High graduate. “I never hit my stride. I never felt comfortable. It was the first time in my career that I’ve struggled, and I didn’t know how to rebound quick enough so it didn’t affect my whole season.”

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The Dodgers avoided arbitration with Dave Roberts, agreeing to terms with the center fielder and leadoff batter on a one-year, $975,000 contract.... The Dodgers have hired former San Diego Padre catcher Terry Kennedy to manage their triple-A farm club in Las Vegas.... Pitcher Darren Dreifort, who suffered a season-ending right knee injury that required surgery in June, attended Friday’s workout but is not expected to begin throwing off a mound until the team reports to spring training.