Trade Talks Getting Hotter

While still battling San Diego for Arizona center fielder Steve Finley, the Dodgers on Thursday intensified their efforts to engineer a three- or four-team trade to bolster the rotation, National League executives said.

General Manager Paul DePodesta continued trade talks with the Diamondbacks about Finley, who has said he would exercise his right to block potential trades except to the Dodgers or San Diego before Saturday’s non-waiver deadline.

Meanwhile, DePodesta turned to the Florida Marlins, among others, in his attempt to bring another starting pitcher to Los Angeles.

He has had talks with Florida about right-handed starters Carl Pavano and Brad Penny. Because of payroll concerns, Florida is willing to move one of them for a productive catcher and another starter.

The Marlins have made many attempts to acquire Paul Lo Duca, but the Dodgers would rather help them get a catcher and pitcher from other teams. Outfielder Jayson Werth’s name has been mentioned in trade talks.

“I am working pretty hard at it, but it’s hard to say if I’m close,” said DePodesta, not commenting specifically on a potential deal involving the Marlins. “When you do involve multiple clubs, there are so many things that have to fall in place. If one thing doesn’t fit, it can wreck the whole thing.”

Advance scout Mark Weidemaier, among DePodesta’s special assistants, monitored Pavano and Penny in starts Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, against Philadelphia at Pro Player Stadium.

Pavano is 11-4 with a 3.06 earned-run average. He has a salary of $3.8 million and can become a free agent after the season. Penny is 8-8 with a 3.15 ERA. He is owed the remainder of a $3.725-million salary and can become a free agent after the 2005 season.

Both pitchers have contracts within the Dodgers’ budget, and the Finley situation would not affect a potential deal with Florida, team officials said.

After initially rejecting the Diamondbacks’ request of relievers Scott Linebrink and Akinori Otsuka for Finley, San Diego might now include one of the pitchers in a deal to thwart the Dodgers’ attempts to acquire the four-time Gold Glove Award winner, who is batting .275 with 23 home runs and 48 runs batted in.

“There are not many difference-makers available right now,” said Padre General Manager Kevin Towers, who declined to comment on the Finley situation. “When you’re in a pennant race, you want to bring in guys who have done it before. You want guys who have done it before in a pennant race.”

*

Hideo Nomo is tentatively scheduled to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment in mid-August.

“I would say that the possibility is there ... if everything continues to go well, we would look to send him out,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “Could there be a setback? I think you realize that.

“But if we’re entertaining thoughts ... of this guy having the potential to be an option for us during the month of September, we would have to get him out there and test him.”

Nomo went on the disabled list July 1 because of inflammation of his right rotator cuff. He’s scheduled for another bullpen session today.

*

Rookie right-hander Edwin Jackson, who went on the DL July 17 because of a strained right forearm, threw 32 pitches in a bullpen session Tracy described as “encouraging.”

ON DECK

Opponent -- San Diego Padres, three games.

Site -- Petco Park, San Diego.

TV -- Channel 13 tonight and Saturday, Fox Sports Net 2 on Sunday.

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

Records -- Dodgers 59-42, Padres 56-45.

Record vs. Padres -- 6-3.

Tonight, 7 -- Jeff Weaver (7-10, 4.17 ERA) vs. Adam Eaton (6-8, 4.37).

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Kazuhisa Ishii (11-5, 4.63) vs. Jake Peavy (7-3, 2.32).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (4-4, 3.15) vs. David Wells (6-6, 3.66).