Evans Is Eyeing Astros’ Hidalgo

With slugger Vladimir Guerrero committing to the Angels and the pool of high-quality free-agent outfielders and first basemen essentially dry, Dodger General Manager Dan Evans has resumed his pursuit of a trade to boost the team’s offense, with Houston outfielder Richard Hidalgo emerging as a possible candidate.

Hidalgo, 28, hit .309 with 28 home runs and 88 runs batted in last season, but with Houston looking to trim payroll after signing Andy Pettitte to a three-year, $31.5-million deal and Roger Clemens to a one-year, $5-million deal, Hidalgo’s $12-million salary for 2004 has been tabbed as a potential target.

Hidalgo, who is in the final year of a four-year, $30-million contract that includes a $15-million option for 2005, had a break-out 2000 season (.314, 44 homers, 122 RBIs) before slipping in 2001 (.275, 19 homers, 80 RBIs) and 2002 (.235, 15 homers, 48 RBIs).

But he rebounded in 2003 to such an extent that he finished 18th in the National League most valuable player voting, and his ability to play all three outfield positions is an added bonus. He also might be expendable because the Astros have an up-and-coming outfielder in Jason Lane ready to step in.

If the Dodgers were to open the season today, they probably would start Dave Roberts in center field, Juan Encarnacion in right and Bubba Trammell in left, with right fielder Shawn Green moving to first base.

“But we’re an unfinished group right now,” Evans said. “We’re not etching anything in stone; everything’s etched in sand. I’m keeping my fingers on any trade possibility that comes up. Based on the number of conversations we’ve had, I think we have options. We just don’t have the right matches. We’ll keep plugging away.”

The Dodgers haven’t shut the door on Chicago White Sox right fielder Magglio Ordonez, the subject of serious trade talks between the teams at the winter meetings, but the White Sox haven’t backed down on their demand for starter Odalis Perez, setup man Guillermo Mota, one of the Dodgers’ top two pitching prospects, Edwin Jackson or Greg Miller, and a fourth player.

Evans also will spend time this week interviewing candidates for the Dodgers’ vacant batting instructor job -- former Montreal Expo and Dodger third baseman Tim Wallach has emerged as a favorite.