Lo Duca Tries to Hit Mark on Sore Subject

Catcher Paul Lo Duca challenged everyday players to be more productive in a closed-door meeting recently, saying anyone who didn’t believe they were a major league hitter should stand up.

No one did so Lo Duca continued, stressing that the Dodgers must rely on themselves because a big-time hitter probably wouldn’t be coming in a trade.

“The point I was trying to make was that, regardless of what you might like to see happen, you can’t sit back and wait to add someone,” said Lo Duca, who has emerged as a clubhouse leader. “We have to take it upon ourselves to get it done.

“Not saying that you wouldn’t want to add some kind of help, but we can’t wait for that. We have to take it personal and go out and show people that we don’t need anybody else.”

The consensus among scouts in Florida is that the Dodgers need at least one major run-producer to contend in the National League West.

New owner Frank McCourt, responding to reporters’ questions about the team’s major league-worst offense and the seeming need for another productive hitter, on Jan. 29 vowed to “sign a player who can hit” before the 2004 season. McCourt recently backed away from that comment, saying the idea of one hitter solving the Dodgers’ problems is “a little bit misguided.” Nevertheless, General Manager Paul DePodesta has had trade talks with clubs, inquiring about outfielders Jay Gibbons and Larry Bigbie of the Baltimore Orioles, and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz of the Minnesota Twins, among many others.

DePodesta’s ability to maneuver has been restricted, baseball officials said, because the McCourts want to keep the payroll around $100 million, which the Dodgers are pushing when pension benefits and performance bonuses are calculated.

Dodger sources said DePodesta has less than $5 million to work with, eliminating most of the high-profile hitters clubs would be willing to move because of their own payroll concerns. A National League general manager said DePodesta is focused on adding a first baseman and considering acquiring an everyday second baseman.

“You read every newspaper, every baseball magazine and watch every expert on TV saying that we can’t hit,” Lo Duca said. “I want us to take that personal.”

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Dodger Manager Jim Tracy moved to end speculation about Kazuhisa Ishii’s status in the rotation, saying the left-hander would be the fourth starter.

“I’m feeling a lot more comfortable saying that because of what I’ve seen,” Tracy said. “To see the consistency of his delivery showing up is good. His fastball has gone up as a result of it.

“This adjustment that he’s making, we see it becoming more of an instinctive thing instead of having to think about it each and every pitch that he throws.”

Ishii (1-2) pitched four solid innings Saturday in a 15-3 victory over the New York Mets, lowering his earned-run average from 21.21 to 13.50.

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With eight days off in the first two months of the regular season, the Dodgers are considering options to give ace Hideo Nomo as much rest as possible.

One plan would be to use a five-man rotation despite the ability to skip the fifth starter, probably rookie Edwin Jackson, giving everyone an extra day of rest.

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Jackson (1-1) had an impressive outing in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over the Mets at Port St. Lucie, giving up two hits and striking out three in three scoreless innings. He lowered his ERA from 10.38 to 7.71.... Outfielder Bubba Trammell, fighting for a roster spot, went two for four with a double and home run against the Mets.... Nomo (0-3) gave up eight hits in five innings as the Dodgers lost to the Houston Astros, 10-7, at Dodgertown in their second game of the day.... Infielder Alex Cora, recovering from a broken right forearm, is scheduled to play in minor league games Tuesday.