In what could be baseball's blockbuster trade of the offseason, the Dodgers have agreed to send outfielder Gary Sheffield and pitcher Luke Prokopec to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Jermaine Dye and newly obtained closer Bill Koch.

As of late Friday, baseball officials were anticipating a done deal, but it still hinged on the expected signing of Oakland free agent Jason Giambi with the New York Yankees.

Once the Giambi deal is completed -- and sources expect that sooner rather than later -- the A's were said to be ready to trade for Sheffield.

Earlier Friday, Oakland acquired Koch from the Toronto Blue Jays for two minor-league prospects. Dodgers officials said they were not disappointed by that move because it fit into their plan.

"There have been no surprises during the process," said Dodgers general manager Dan Evans. "None."

Though the Dodgers have been reluctant to move Sheffield, one of the best right-handed hitters in baseball, they liked this deal because it would address their need for a closer and still give them a solid right-handed bat in return.

The move would also end Sheffield's turbulent tenure in Los Angeles, which started in May 1998, when he was acquired in the seven-player trade that sent Mike Piazza to the Florida Marlins.

In four seasons with the Dodgers, Sheffield has hit .312 with 129 home runs and 367 RBI. In 2000, he tied Duke Snider's single-season franchise record with 43 home runs. Shawn Green broke that record this past season with 49.

But before arriving in spring training this year, Sheffield turned the franchise on its ear by demanding to be traded to the Yankees, New York Mets or Atlanta Braves. Sheffield later rescinded the request and has told the Dodgers this offseason that he'd like to remain in Los Angeles.

He has 12 teams in his no-trade clause, and Oakland is not one of them.

"He'll go (to Oakland) and play and do his job," said Sheffield's agent, Scott Boras. "Last year there was trade talk, this year there's been trade talk. That's what happens when you don't have a blanket no-trade clause. He deals with that, and he's a professional player."

Dye, 27, doesn't boast Sheffield's power numbers. He was a key part to Oakland's playoff run after the Athletics acquired him from Kansas City in July before breaking his leg in an at-bat against the Yankees.

In 2000, Dye hit .321 with 33 home runs and 118 RBI for Kansas City, while also winning his only career Gold Glove. He followed that by hitting .297 with 13 homers and 59 RBI in 61 games with Oakland this season.

He would likely replace Sheffield in the Dodgers' clean-up spot, behind the left-handed hitting Green. Dye made $3.8 million last season and could make $9 million in arbitration next season in his final year before free agency.

Dodgers officials said this deal does not hinge on signing Dye to a long-term contract.

Koch, 26, won't be eligible for free agency until 2005. He'll make $2.35 million next year after posting 36 saves and a 4.80 ERA this past season. Oakland officials raved about him Friday after getting him from Toronto for third baseman Eric Hinske and pitcher Justin Miller.

The A's made the move after learning that free agent closer Jason Isringhausen had reportedly signed a four-year, $27 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

"He (Koch) has a lot more experience than when Izzy first came here at the same age," Oakland general manager Billy Beane said. "He's coming in at age 26 and he has 100 career saves."

Said Koch: "Right now, I'm as happy as I could be. It's real interesting. I can't wait to get started."

By trading Prokopec, the Dodgers would also leave themselves some big questions with their starting rotation. Prokopec, 23, went 8-7 with a 4.88 ERA last season.

On Friday, the Dodgers also officially parted ways with free-agent pitchers Terry Adams and James Baldwin, declining to offer them salary arbitration. Now, they cannot re-sign those two until May and they won't receive draft pick compensation when they sign somewhere else.

The Dodgers did offer arbitration to free agent Chan Ho Park, and their other moves suggested they might be willing to make a stronger push to keep him.

Adams, 28, was converted from a reliever to a starter last season and went 12-8 with a 4.33 ERA. He is looking for a deal worth about $10 million per season.

· Also: The Dodgers re-signed left-handed reliever Jesse Orosco to a minor-league contract. Orosco, 44, had a 3.94 ERA in 36 appearances this past season.