Clement, Hudson on GM’s Radar

Starved for starting pitchers, the Dodgers can no longer afford to be too picky at the free-agent buffet table.

The number of reliable arms on the market is dwindling -- and prices are not dropping if the signing of Russ Ortiz by the Arizona Diamondbacks for four years at $33 million Friday is an indication.

The Dodgers are making a strong effort to sign Matt Clement, who is seeking a three-year deal in the $21-million to $24-million range. That’s a lot for a pitcher who was 9-13 last season with the Chicago Cubs and has a career record of 69-75.

However, the Dodgers and several other teams bidding for him believe his record is deceiving. Clement, 30, has made at least 30 starts in each of the last six seasons and has a live arm, striking out eight batters per nine innings in his career. Opposing batters have hit .224 against him the last three seasons.

The Dodgers are also one of several teams trying to work a trade for Oakland Athletic ace Tim Hudson, who is 92-39 with a 3.30 earned-run average in six seasons. Hudson is owed $6.75 million next season, making him a relative bargain, but is in the last year of his contract.

The Athletics are seeking a second baseman and pitching prospects for him, and the Dodgers could oblige. Signing free agent infielder Jeff Kent on Thursday enables the Dodgers to trade either incumbent second baseman Alex Cora or top prospect Antonio Perez.

General Manager Paul DePodesta indicated he is reluctant to part with Perez and Edwin Jackson for Hudson. Jackson, 21, is considered the Dodgers’ best young right-handed pitcher despite not performing well last season.

The need to land an established starting pitcher could force DePodesta’s hand, though.

“To get a proven major league player you have to be prepared to give up very high quality prospects,” he said.

Should the Dodgers fail to land Hudson or Clement, re-signing left-hander Odalis Perez is a possibility. Other free-agent pitchers on DePodesta’s radar screen include Kevin Millwood, Derek Lowe, Shawn Estes and Esteban Loaiza.

The Dodgers did not make an offer to Ortiz, according to his agent, and DePodesta said he is not pursuing top-echelon free-agent pitchers Pedro Martinez, Carl Pavano and Eric Milton.

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The high price of pitching might cause the Dodgers to regret not making a stronger effort to re-sign Jose Lima. They severed ties with the popular right-hander by not offering him arbitration.

Lima, who was 13-5 and shut out the St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs, wanted to return but DePodesta did not discuss the matter with his agent until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday -- 2 1/2 hours before the arbitration deadline. Lima was in the Dominican Republic and would have been difficult to contact even if an agreement had been reached.

“Paul told me that Jose had such a good season that he’s entitled to more than what the Dodgers could pay him,” said Joe Klein, Lima’s agent.

Lima seeks a two-year deal for $5 million to $7 million. Last season, he made a base salary of $950,000 and about $350,000 in incentives. Klein said he would have lowered his demand to stay with the Dodgers. DePodesta did not offer Lima more than a one-year deal for “about what he made last season,” Klein said.

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DePodesta said he was unaware that Dodger outfielder Milton Bradley faces a Feb. 22 trial on a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct stemming from a Nov. 25 arrest for interfering when a female friend was stopped for a traffic violation.

Bradley asked for a jury trial, according to an Associated Press report. If convicted, he could receive 30 days in jail or a $250 fine.

Bradley has also yet to resolve an earlier brush with the law. The Ohio Supreme Court rejected his appeal of a three-day jail sentence he received after driving away from police who were trying to give him a speeding ticket in August 2003.

Bradley pleaded guilty earlier this year to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business and was sentenced to the jail time, a $250 fine and 40 hours of community service. A new sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.