Dodgers, Expos Talking Deal

The Dodgers and Montreal Expos continued to work on a deal Wednesday that would send standout shortstop Mark Grudzielanek to the Dodgers for second baseman Wilton Guerrero and another player, baseball sources said.

The teams have been in negotiations for two weeks and sources said the trade could occur soon if the Expos are convinced Guerrero’s injured left shoulder will heal completely. Guerrero underwent surgery earlier this month, and the deal hinges in part on how the Expos’ medical staff evaluates the results.

Executive Vice President Fred Claire said the Dodgers are not close to acquiring a shortstop, and he declined comment when asked about Guerrero’s shoulder in relation to the possible trade with Montreal.

“We’re still looking at a number of different possibilities for a shortstop,” Claire said. “I can’t say which way we’re going at this hour because I just don’t know.”

Often overwhelmed during his rookie season, Guerrero nonetheless batted .291 and was tied for third in the league with nine triples. Claire protected Guerrero, whose brother Vladimir is an outfielder with the Expos, for Tuesday’s expansion draft.

Guerrero, and probably a pitcher, would be packaged for Grudzielanek. Last season, Grudzielanek batted .273 with a league-leading 54 doubles, 51 runs batted in and 25 stolen bases.

Sources said Claire had tried to acquire Grudzielanek two seasons ago, but Claire backed away from a proposed deal when Montreal insisted on receiving starting pitcher Ismael Valdes in return.

Acquiring Grudzielanek would seemingly complete the Dodgers’ 1998 infield. Claire exposed veteran infielders Eric Karros, Eric Young and Todd Zeile for the draft, the added them to the protected list after outfielder Karim Garcia was selected in the first round. Karros still might be traded to make room at first base for prospect Paul Konerko.

If the deal for Grudzielanek falls apart, the Dodgers’ next target probably would be former Dodger Jose Vizcaino. A member of the San Francisco Giants last season, the free-agent shortstop is interested in rejoining the Dodgers.

“I think the Dodgers are exploring a couple of other options, and that’s fine because we’re exploring other options as well,” said Vizcaino’s agent, Adam Katz. “I’m going to talk to the Dodgers [today] and see how it goes. If we can match, then great.”

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The San Diego Padres sent right-handed pitcher Tim Worrell and outfielder Trey Beamon to the Detroit Tigers for right-handers Dan Miceli and Donne Wall, plus infielder Ryan Balfe.