Moving or Staying Put?

The National League West title is up for grabs as the Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres tonight resume a tight three-team race while hoping trades provide a boost to the finish.

The Dodgers hold a half-game lead over San Francisco and are two games ahead of San Diego, putting California in the spotlight in a second-half division showdown. Each NL West contender has shortcomings that general managers have tried to address in trade discussions, which usually intensify as many clubs’ playoff hopes fade approaching the July 31 deadline.

The Dodgers have rotation and run-production problems, the Giants hope to bolster their bullpen and rotation and the Padres have focused on adding a slugger. Although general managers doubt Arizona would send left-hander Randy Johnson to a division opponent, there could be a ripple effect in the market if the five-time Cy Young Award winner is traded.

The team that makes the first move, or the boldest, might gain the edge needed to win a race the participants said remained wide open.

“If a move is made, where it’s a significant move, it would send a strong message to the other two [teams], and a very strong message to the people that are currently in your clubhouse,” Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said. “You have to wait and see how all of that stuff plays itself out, but there’s definite significance to that if the names involved make people stand up and say, ‘This is a serious commitment.’ ”

The Dodgers did not experience that type of commitment in Tracy’s first three years at the helm.

Although the Dodgers were in postseason contention each season approaching the deadline for players to be traded without clearing waivers, management did not acquire difference-makers as the team’s playoff-appearance drought reached seven seasons. Players privately expressed frustration last season as little was done to improve the major league’s worst offense before the non-waiver deadline.

“A big move can really kick-start a team,” first baseman Shawn Green said. “It can obviously be a big factor in the race.”

The Dodgers have rotation concerns with Hideo Nomo and Odalis Perez, the projected Nos. 1 and 2 starters beginning the season, on the disabled list, though the team expects Perez to rejoin the rotation and start Saturday against Arizona at Bank One Ballpark.

The team also has struggled to score, ranking 11th among 16 NL teams with 382 runs. Green was dropped from the cleanup spot in a disappointing first half, right fielder Juan Encarnacion begins the second half on the disabled list and productive third baseman Adrian Beltre -- who leads the Dodgers with 22 home runs and 56 runs batted in -- has played in pain because of ankle and thigh injuries.

Despite their problems, the Dodgers rebounded from eight- and six-game losing streaks in the first half, having won eight of nine before the break to remain atop the division. A 22-10 start helped, but now the Dodgers might need help from outside.

“There are some things out there that I think can help make us better, but we might have more options [as the deadline approaches] if we’re patient,” General Manager Paul DePodesta said. “A lot of clubs are waiting to see if they’re still in it. There just aren’t as many sellers right now as there might be in a couple of weeks.”

San Francisco General Manager Brian Sabean has proved to be one of the game’s best deadline shoppers, engineering many major July trades that helped the Giants down the stretch in playoff races.

In 1997, Sabean acquired pitchers Wilson Alvarez, Roberto Hernandez and Danny Darwin from the Chicago White Sox in a blockbuster deal that helped the Giants win the division title for the first time since 1989.

He was as busy a year later near the deadline, getting outfielders Ellis Burks and Joe Carter, pitcher Jose Mesa and utility man Shawon Dunston. They helped the Giants force a one-game playoff against the Chicago Cubs, which the Cubs won, for the NL wild-card berth.

The Giants failed to qualify for the postseason in 2001, but Sabean pulled off what many general managers consider to be arguably his best July move, acquiring All-Star right-hander Jason Schmidt from Pittsburgh in a four-player deal.

Then with the Giants in need of a leadoff batter the next season, Sabean got Kenny Lofton from the White Sox. Lofton batted .350 as the Giants defeated Atlanta in the division series, and .290 against the Angels in the World Series. Last year, Sabean brought in pitcher Sidney Ponson, a 14-game winner with Baltimore at the time of the trade.

The Giants appear to need bullpen help with All-Star closer Robb Nen still resting a pitching shoulder that forced him to sit out last season as well. Setup man Matt Herges has struggled in the closer role, having suffered six blown saves in 28 opportunities with a 4.89 earned-run average.

Sabean has continued to work the phones while the Giants work to outlast the Dodgers and Padres.

“They both have a lot of energy. They are both formidable,” Sabean said. “The Dodgers, the last couple years in my mind, were on the verge of being a playoff team, or they were and just didn’t catch some breaks. They’ve had basically the same team for a while.

“San Diego has waited for this breath of fresh air and the type of team they put together in their new ballpark. So there’s a lot of energy and momentum you’re up against no matter the makeup of the team.”

The Padres want to maintain momentum in their first season at Petco Park. With first baseman Phil Nevin sidelined after undergoing knee surgery, Padre General Manager Kevin Towers hopes to add punch to the lineup.

Executives of division contenders say they’re watching closely as the Johnson situation plays out, contemplating making moves in response if the Big Unit is traded. Players are interested too.

“It’s great when you can make an acquisition to better your ballclub, and you definitely keep an eye on what’s going on with some of the names out there,” Dodger left fielder Dave Roberts said. “But no matter what happens, you still have to stay focused and play good baseball.

“We would welcome some more help, just as I’m sure the Giants and Padres would, but you can’t worry about that if it doesn’t happen. You just have to believe in the guys already in your clubhouse. No matter what happens with trades, I know we believe we can get it done.”