White in Center--of Job Turmoil?

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  The Devon White watch began Monday when the center fielder reported to Dodgertown and concerned team officials waited for the other shoe to drop.

Todd Hollandsworth will compete with White for the everyday job, and newly signed F.P. Santangelo also is expected to play often. Dodger decision-makers hope White will respond to the challenge--and won’t create controversy if Hollandsworth starts.

Judging by White’s opening comments, the Dodgers should monitor the situation closely.

“To tell you the truth, I’m not worried about anything,” said White, beginning the second year of a $12.4-million contract. “There’s no reason I should be, is there? What, did I have a lousy year last year? I know that’s the way it sounds, that’s what some people are out there saying, but I’m in a good frame of mind to just come in and play ball.

“There are going to be talks [between him and management] and all that stuff, but the bottom line is that I’ve always had to prove people wrong. They say, ‘He can’t do this, and he can’t do that,’ and 14, 15 years later I’m still doing it. Yeah, there’s a lot of speculation, but I just have to come in and do what I get paid to do and not worry about the other stuff.

“I need to do what Devon needs to do, and if Devon is not happy, I’ll let my feelings be known at that point. You know I’ll let you know.”

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The Dodgers are still exploring spring-training options in Florida and Arizona, and Las Vegas has emerged as a player in the far-from-being-resolved process, team and industry officials said.

The organization resumed its search for an improved situation after rejecting a proposal from the Fort McDowell (Ariz.) Indian Community in August. The Dodgers were uncomfortable with the plan offered to build them a new complex on the Phoenix-area reservation, and they returned to Vero Beach for their 52nd season.

“The state of Florida is entertaining a bill to provide additional funding to keep us in Florida, and Arizona and Las Vegas are considering proposals to present us,” Dodger President Bob Graziano said. “Las Vegas has shown very strong interest in attracting the Dodgers and several other major league teams, and we’re in the process of looking at everything.”

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Bob Daly, managing general partner, and agent Scott Boras are expected to continue discussing terms today for a two- or three-year contract in an attempt to settle the Adrian Beltre matter.

“This is nothing new, we’ve talked about it [settling the grievance with a multiyear contract] for some time,” Boras said. “We’ve definitely let the Dodgers know we’re open to working on this.”