Mueller Is Newest Dodger

The Dodgers advanced their off-season by another day, signing Bill Mueller on Wednesday to a two-year contract, extending further into negotiations with outfielders Reggie Sanders and Kenny Lofton and finding themselves with three others vying for Nomar Garciaparra.

There are others, as well, Johnny Damon chief among them, as Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti tries to cover the final days of development by prospects the organization believes are a year or two away.

A week after introducing Rafael Furcal at a news conference in Dallas, Colletti announced the signing of Mueller, the switch-hitter and former American League batting champion who will be paid $9.75 million over two seasons. Mueller, who will be 35 by opening day, batted .295 last season and chose the Dodgers over a similar offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Mueller broke into the major leagues in 1996 and spent five seasons with the San Francisco Giants, where Colletti was an assistant general manager. After two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Mueller signed in 2003 with Boston, where his manager was Grady Little, the new Dodger manager.

Colletti praised Mueller for his defensive skills and offensive versatility, and said he adored his attitude.

“His determination got him to the big leagues,” Colletti said. “And he’s never stopped playing hard. His character is as good as it gets.”

Gabe Kapler, a teammate of Mueller’s in Boston, where they were part of the Red Sox’s 2004 World Series championship, also raved about the player Kevin Millar dubbed, “Billy Ballgame.”

“Billy is amazing,” Kapler said. “He’s an amazing teammate. A hard worker. He is quiet, goes about his business. He’s the guy you want your kid to grow up and play like. And he’s always been underappreciated in my mind.”

Mueller fills a position played by seven Dodgers last season. Mueller, an opposite-field hitter from the left side and a pull hitter from the right who thrived at Fenway Park, probably will bat second, behind Furcal, or sixth, Colletti said.

In little more than a month, Colletti has taken significant steps to rework a roster that lost 91 games last season, and he continues to seek reinforcements in the outfield, starting rotation and first base.

While he lost out on free-agent Brian Giles, who re-signed with the San Diego Padres, Colletti has spoken to the agents for several available outfielders, including Damon, Sanders, Lofton, Preston Wilson and Jacque Jones.

He has made offers to Sanders and Lofton, along with Garciaparra, who could play first base or left field.

Colletti also remains in serious talks with agent Scott Boras regarding free agent Jeff Weaver, who pitched the last two seasons for the Dodgers.

Damon, being courted by the Red Sox and New York Yankees and who has turned down a four-year, $40-million offer from the Red Sox, was rumored to be coming to Los Angeles to meet with Colletti on Wednesday.

One report said he had a Friday meeting scheduled.

Colletti said it would be “premature” to sit down with Damon, but granted they were still in negotiations.

Conceivably, Colletti could add the veterans Sanders, who just turned 38, Lofton, also 38, and Mueller for the about annual cost of Damon, but risk the advancement of age and, therefore, injury. Sanders last played as many as 140 games in 2002, Lofton in 2003.

But, they would fit Colletti’s plan to compete in the mediocre National League West while preserving the farm system; Lofton, who has drawn interest from Arizona and Baltimore, would require a one-year contract, and Sanders no more than two.

While the 40-man payroll creeps to about $82 million, and with another starting pitcher still to acquire, Garciaparra provides yet another intriguing possibility.

Off two injury-shortened seasons, Garciaparra, a five-time All-Star shortstop, could play first base or left field for the Dodgers.

Already having reportedly turned down a one-year, $6-million offer from the Atlanta Braves, Garciaparra has had offers from the Yankees to play first base, the Houston Astros to play left field and the Cleveland Indians to play right field.

“I’d like to talk to him before I comment on that,” Colletti said about Garciaparra’s position of choice. “He’s been an infielder most of his career. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t make the switch to left field.”

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Third choice

Bill Mueller, 34, played with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs his first seven seasons, and with the Boston Red Sox his last three. Statistics for the last three seasons and career averages:

*--* Year Avg 2B HR RBI Run 2003 *.326 45 19 85 85 2004 283 27 12 57 75 2005 295 34 10 62 69 Career 292 26 8 48 65

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*Won American League batting title