© 2004 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved. DePodesta hopeful on Beltre, Tracy GM says he believes both will be with Dodgers in 2005 11/04/2004 10:52 PM ET By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta indicated he was optimistic about retaining third baseman Adrian Beltre and manager Jim Tracy, but as of Thursday they were both free agents. He said the club has not yet made an offer to Beltre, who is prevented from talking financial terms or signing with other clubs until next week. But DePodesta has spoken with Beltre's agent, Scott Boras, who has yet to establish Beltre's worth on the open market. "I'm not putting a deadline on it," DePodesta said. "I've expected this and I'll try to be as patient as I can while protecting the organization. "From what I'm told, he'd like to remain a Dodger and, internally, we'd like to keep him a Dodger. As long as that holds, there's always a chance for common ground." DePodesta rejected the suggestion that the length of contract was the sticking point for Tracy. DePodesta said he was still hopeful a deal with Tracy could be reached by the start of next week's general managers meetings in Florida and he has not discussed the position with any other candidates. "We've said throughout we want to bring him back and I'm still under the assumption this is where he wants to be," said DePodesta. "It would be premature [to talk with other candidates) at this point." While Beltre and Tracy are the most immediate Dodger issues, DePodesta also said: Contrary to popular belief, the 2005 payroll will not be slashed and will approximate the 2004 payroll of $100 million. He did not rule out the possibility of signing a player to a contract of as many as five, six or seven years. "I don't like blanket rules," he said. "I heard where someone said I'll refuse to sign a pitcher for more than three years. I never felt that way." He can envision scenarios in which just about every Dodger who has filed for free agency could return, but not all together. "None of our free agents have been completely ruled out and decided we'd part ways," he said. In addition to re-signing Beltre and Tracy, his winter priorities are shoring up the starting pitching and the catching. He has spoken with the agents for "10 to 15" free agents, but would not name names. He pledged his continued support for controversial outfielder Milton Bradley, who was suspended twice this year. "I still think he's a significant member of the team and we expect him to be going forward," he said. He expected to finalize some of the restructuring of the baseball operations department next week. He is expected to name Terry Collins the new farm director. DePodesta said he has a good idea of the free agents who would fit on his club and hopes to come away from next week's meetings with information on what players will be available through trade. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Dodgers Homepage   |  MLB.com   http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/la/news/la_news.jsp?ymd=20041104&content_id=910287&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp

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