Are Mlicki and Vizcaino on the Bubble?

The Dodgers began Grapefruit League play Friday with a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodgertown.

Now the important stuff begins: trade speculation.

Scouts are in search of players and the Dodgers will be visited often.

Right-hander Dave Mlicki, who earned the victory over St. Louis, is seemingly on the block because the ballclub has six starters and only five starting spots. Shortstop Jose Vizcaino is supposedly available because the Dodgers figure Mark Grudzielanek gives them more bang for their buck.

But are they really the odd men out?

“Don’t ask me because I want to keep all these guys,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “You’ll never get me to say I don’t want somebody because I want all the talent we can get. But there are other things that go into it.”

Johnson wants Vizcaino, whether or not he unseats Grudzielanek. The manager double-switches a lot and figures the switch-hitting Vizcaino could play a valuable role.

Besides shortstop, Vizcaino plays second and third, and many veterans say he could be a calming presence for young third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Johnson wouldn’t mind retaining Mlicki as well. The Dodger bullpen is already full of right-handers, but a quality pitcher is always welcome.

And Vizcaino and Mlicki might be receptive to staying with the club in lesser roles. The question is, what is General Manager Kevin Malone thinking?

“What I have to try to do,” he said, “is figure out the best team possible and the most cost-effective team.”

The Dodger payroll for this season is projected at about $84 million if Malone retains Vizcaino and Mlicki. Vizcaino is owed $3 million and Mlicki $2.25 million.

“I’m juggling a lot of balls,” Malone said. “We’ll just have to see what happens as we go along.”

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Former owner Peter O’Malley arrived at Vero Beach Friday after accepting an invitation from President Bob Graziano.

O’Malley said the Dodgers were unfairly criticized for signing pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven-year, $105-million deal.

“I think the comments from someone in the commissioner’s office were outrageous,” O’Malley said, alluding to Sandy Alderson, major league baseball’s executive vice president. “You just don’t do that. You settle your differences in a meeting.

“We’re a big target and big targets get shot at. It was open season on us there for a while.”

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Right-hander Ismael Valdes started in Friday’s victory, giving up two hits in two shutout innings. Mlicki also gave up two hits in two shutout innings with a strikeout. Reliever Alan Mills worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the save, and rookie catcher Paul LoDuca hit a three-run home run. . . . Mark McGwire didn’t make the trip for the Cardinals. . . . The season opener April 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks is sold out.