Dodgers Trying to Deal Strawberry : Baseball: Source says team has talked with Royals about a trade that would include McReynolds.

The Dodgers have talked with the Kansas City Royals about a possible trade involving Darryl Strawberry, according to a well-placed source. The talks, the source said, have centered around outfielder Kevin McReynolds and a couple of other Royal players.

The Royals could use Strawberry as a designated hitter to replace George Brett, or as a left fielder, replacing McReynolds, who has fallen out of favor with Royal management. McReynolds batted .245 last season, with 11 home runs and 42 runs batted in.

Sources say that the $8 million remaining on Strawberry’s two-year contract with the Dodgers is not a problem for Kansas City.

Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, said Wednesday night he had no comment on a possible trade involving Strawberry. But Claire did say that the controversy over a recent statement Strawberry made has not finished him with the Dodgers.

“I’m disappointed, it’s unfortunate,” Claire said from the general managers’ meetings in Naples, Fla. “Darryl’s worked hard, he has played well (on the Asian tour) and he has had a great attitude. But the statements he made were unfortunate, and I think Darryl is disappointed, too.”

Strawberry, talking with reporters Tuesday from Japan, flippantly said before the start of a news conference, after being told about the fires in Malibu: “Let it burn, I don’t live there anymore.”

Strawberry, who at the time didn’t know the severity of the fires, later apologized for the remark. Wednesday, he issued another apology.

“I am truly sorry about some of the statements I made yesterday,” Strawberry said in a statement. “I realize that it was something I should not have said, even jokingly, because of the seriousness of the situation. I grew up and have lived all my life in the Los Angeles area and certainly would not wish this destruction on anyone. Once I realized that someone on the call may have taken me seriously, I noted I was only kidding, but apparently it was too late and I am very sorry about that.”

In other Dodger news, Claire said that second baseman Jody Reed has rejected the Dodgers’ offer, reportedly a three-year deal worth about $8 million.