Shawn Green

[DBAHO]

Nothin new really, just sayin he's willin to play first base if needed, could impact on a Konerko deal.

 

LOS ANGELES -- Shawn Green took grounders at first base during the Los Angeles Dodgers' first winter workout Friday, saying he was willing to change positions if it would help the team.

 

"Outfield is something I've been doing my whole life. It's something I need to be ready for," he said of a possible move to first. "It's a huge transition. If that's the case, I'm ready to put the time in."

 

The Dodgers don't have a player penciled in at the position yet, although general manager Dan Evans said the team isn't finished making offseason changes.

 

Green has played right field throughout his big league career. The Dodgers acquired Juan Encarnacion from the Florida Marlins last month and right field is generally his position.

 

The workout began with everyone running and playing catch in the Dodger Stadium outfield except Green, who was taking grounders hit by coach Glenn Hoffman at first, with manager Jim Tracy providing instruction.

 

"There is a possibility we may move him to first base," Tracy said. "I don't make out my lineup on the ninth of January. We're venturing in that direction a little bit to see if we go there. Let's go over there and take some ground balls, let's just introduce this.

 

"The only reason I'm over there is I made a transition fairly similar. If we do go in that direction, I think he'll do a tremendous job. If it's best for Shawn Green to play first base, he'd be willing to do that."

 

Green had surgery on his right (non-throwing) shoulder Oct. 14. He said he feels fine and should be 100 percent by spring training.

 

Evans said nothing should be read into Green's taking grounders since he's done so before and it's only January.

 

But the GM added a position change is possible.

 

"It's nice to have that option and a player of that caliber being an option," Evans said. "It never hurts to explore it."

 

A vote on the sale of the Dodgers from News Corp. to Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt could take place next week when baseball owners meet in Scottsdale, Ariz.

 

Evans acknowledged the pending sale has complicated matters a bit during the offseason.

 

"I'm not saying adversely complicated," he said. "Our goals haven't changed, and our targets haven't changed. We're aware of what we have to fix -- we know we have to improve ourselves offensively. Our pitching is pretty much intact from last year."

 

The Dodgers had a 3.16 ERA last season -- lowest in the majors. But they scored a big league-low 574 runs and failed to make the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

 

"We still have options out there that I like," Evans said without elaborating. "There's still time. I'm going to make the most of that time."

 

That's assuming he keeps his job after the sale is completed. Evans and Tracy are both under contract for the 2004 season, but there's no guarantee McCourt will keep them.

 

Other big leaguers who attended Friday's workout were reliever Eric Gagne, the NL Cy Young Award winner last season; starters Jeff Weaver and Darren Dreifort, and outfielders Green and Dave Roberts.

[southsider2k5]

Think a little deeper than that... what RF have the Dodgers been looking at??? This could heat up a Maggs to LA deal. Stay tuned.

[JoshPR]

Think a little deeper than that... what RF have the Dodgers been looking at???  This could heat up a Maggs to LA deal.  Stay tuned.

But otis said..... Maggs is on to Boston......