Izturis making his mark in the league at shortstop

Izturis appeared to be a throw-in when the Dodgers acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays in December 2001 with reliever Paul Quantrill for two minor league pitchers.

It turned out to be one of the best trades the Dodgers have ever made.

"It's very safe to say that from what we've seen to this point, he's one of the very best in either league," Tracy said. "We're starting to get the whole package. And he's going to keep getting better because he's never satisfied."

Izturis said fielding has always come naturally for him, but there are improvements to be made.

"You can get better right there," he said of his nine throwing errors last season. "I know I can do better -- make less than nine."

He also said he'd like to get 200 hits this year, and acknowledged he'd love to be chosen for the All-Star team.

"That would be special," he said.

But, he quickly added, winning was the most important thing.

The Dodgers won the NL West championship last season and made the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Then came a winter of wheeling and dealing, with slick fielding second baseman Alex Cora among those who weren't retained.

"I'm going to miss Alex, of course," Izturis said of his keystone partner. "We've got Jeff Kent playing second. He's a future Hall of Famer. He knows how to turn double plays. I'll be proud to play with him."

Kent said much the same thing of playing alongside Izturis.

"This kid is great," Kent said. "I've played with some great shortstops. I'm looking forward to playing next to him."