Pitchers’ Contracts Make Trades Difficult

MONTREAL —  Teams interested in acquiring Dodger pitchers face many hurdles, including three starters’ no-trade clauses.

After having given Kevin Brown a “blanket” no-trade provision in his record-setting, $105-million deal, the Dodgers acknowledged Thursday that Darren Dreifort and Andy Ashby also can block trades.

It was not announced at the time of their signings, but Dreifort received a complete no-trade clause in his five-year, $55-million contract and Ashby a limited provision in his three-year, $22.5-million package. The Dodgers are permitted to trade Ashby to five clubs.

Brown is considered one of the majors’ top three starters, and the Dodgers are not trying to trade Dreifort and Ashby.

However, the Dodgers have flexibility problems because of a $110-million payroll and contracts that baseball executives said are difficult to move.

The Dodgers are reluctant to trade young right-handers Eric Gagne and Luke Prokopec, Brown is the cornerstone of the franchise and Dreifort and Ashby have control over their situations.

The staff has overcome injuries to Brown and Ashby and is leading the National League in earned-run average, so interim General Manager Dave Wallace and Manager Jim Tracy are not entertaining trade scenarios involving the six-man group.

But if the Dodgers want to acquire an impact everyday player, it appears Wallace and Tracy must revise their stance on moving Gagne and Prokopec because Dreifort and Ashby have veto power.

“Dave has not spoken to any teams about [Dreifort and Ashby],” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president. “We want Ashby to get healthy so that he and Darren can contribute to this rotation. That’s why we made these deals in the off-season.”

Wallace returns to Shea Stadium today for the first time since he left the New York Mets to rejoin the Dodgers.

“Even as much as I relished the fact of coming back, it was real difficult [leaving the Mets],” said Wallace, who served as the Mets’ pitching coach and as a special assistant to General Manager Steve Phillips.

“I’ve been in the game a long time, and to leave after working with Steve and [assistant general manager] Jim Duquette . . . that was the most difficult thing. And Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday, the owners, were very good to me too. I feel somewhat guilty because they provided me with a great opportunity.”

Wallace said watching Phillips prepared him for his current position.

“You get an understanding of how to do this when you see what he does on a daily basis,” Wallace said. “The way he addresses the team’s needs, handles people, puts people in the right direction and delegates authority. He does a wonderful job.”

Ashby, recovering from a right elbow strain, might join the club for the final series of the trip against the Colorado Rockies.

Tracy said the right-hander, throwing off a flat surface, has not experienced pain recently. Pitching coach Jim Colborn wants to observe Ashby before Ashby throws off a mound.

First baseman Eric Karros (lower back stiffness) was given the night off. Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (sore right thumb) was not in the opening lineup.

ON DECK

Opponent--New York Mets, three games.

Site--Shea Stadium.

Tonight--4 p.m. PDT

TV--Channel 5 every game.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Records--Dodgers 23-18, Mets 15-25.

2000 record vs. Mets--4-5.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(5-1, 1.09 ERA)

vs.

METS’

AL LEITER

(0-3, 5.87 ERA)

Update--Brown leads the league in overall ERA, road ERA (1.80) and opponents batting average (.166). The right-hander--who has a streak of 17 consecutive scoreless innings--is 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA in 11 starts against the Mets. After winning the pennant last season, the Mets are last in the East.

Saturday, 10 a.m.--Luke Prokopec (4-1, 3.93) vs. Kevin Appier (2-4, 5.61).

Sunday, 10 a.m.--Chan Ho Park (4-4, 3.02) vs. Rick Reed (5-2, 2.52).