Big bat remains the big question

It’s four weeks before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Do you know where your big bat is?

That has become an annual question for the offensively challenged Angels, who are perusing a hitters market that could include the likes of Colorado’s Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins, Pittsburgh’s Jason Bay, Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn and, if Atlanta falls out of contention, Mark Teixeira.

“You’re always looking to see what you can do to improve your team,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said. “We’ll look at player costs. How many players does it take to get a guy? How long do you want to sign him for?”

Moreno said General Manager Tony Reagins has not approached him with any “significant” trade proposals, and both Reagins and Manager Mike Scioscia have said repeatedly that they think the team’s offensive inadequacies can be addressed in-house.

If the Angels do get serious about pursuing a bat, as they did with Teixeira last summer, Holliday and Bay would be more attractive because both are signed through 2009.

Teixeira and Dunn will become free agents after 2008, and Teixeira, who went from Texas to Atlanta last season, could command a deal in the $200-million range.

“I don’t like picking up guys for a half-season rental, especially if you have to give up young pitching,” Moreno said. “To me, it’s a lot easier to pick up a free agent and spend the money. You give up draft picks, but not [established young] players.”

Let’s (not) make a deal

There are obstacles to a potential deal, including the size of -- and full no-trade clause in -- the contract of outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., and Kelvim Escobar’s setback in his recovery from a shoulder tear.

Had Escobar returned around the All-Star break, as expected, the Angels might have had enough depth to absorb the loss of an Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver or Jose Arredondo, all young pitchers teams would ask for in trades for quality hitters.

But Escobar, who aggravated his injury in a rehabilitation start Monday and underwent an MRI test Wednesday, might opt for surgery, which would sideline him until the All-Star break in 2009.

Even if he returns this season, it would be hard to depend on him.

Matthews is in the second year of a five-year, $50-million contract and is batting .239 with seven homers and 33 runs batted in, a combination that makes him almost impossible to deal.

If Matthews was willing to waive his no-trade clause, the Angels would have to eat a large chunk of the contract to trade him and clear an outfield or designated hitter spot.

Hitter’s count

The Angels might not need another bat if Garret Anderson came close to replicating his second half of 2007, when he hit .305 with 13 homers and 65 RBIs in 67 games after the All-Star break.

Despite Anderson’s age (he turned 36 on Monday) and sluggish production (.259, seven homers, 37 runs batted in), he is convinced he can still hit.

How does he know this?

“Because I can still get around on anyone’s fastball,” said Anderson, who hit a game-winning, two-run homer against Oakland on Tuesday. “I don’t have to cheat to catch up to the fastball. That’s why I know my [bat speed] hasn’t slowed.”

A hitter who “cheats” to catch up with a fastball starts his swing mechanism too soon, leaving him extremely vulnerable to breaking balls and changeups.

“I don’t have to do that -- I can still stay back on the ball,” Anderson said. “When you cheat, that’s when you start guessing. I’m not there yet.”

Short hops

John Lackey was named American League pitcher of the month for June after going 5-0 with a 1.16 earned-run average in five starts, giving up five earned runs and 23 hits, striking out 34 and walking seven, in 38 2/3 innings. . . . The Angels are 32-15 against teams with a .500 record or better and 19-19 against teams under .500. They are 36-4 when scoring first and 35-16 in games decided by two runs or less, the best record and most such games in the major leagues.

--

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com