BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : No Rebuilding Needed, Says Herzog

After 10 days as the Angels’ senior vice president and director of player personnel, Whitey Herzog has determined he won’t have to “tear apart” the team in order to transform it into a contender. Herzog listed as priorities the signing of free agents-to-be Wally Joyner and Dick Schofield, infusing speed into the lineup and deciding whether pitcher Kirk McCaskill and Dave Winfield fit into the club’s plans for 1992.

“The one thing we don’t have here is a lot of depth, and that’s why it’s important to me we retain what we have,” Herzog said. “I hope Wally Joyner stays here, and I’m going to try my damndest to keep him here.”

Herzog praised Winfield, who will be 40 on Oct. 3, but acknowledged the club can save money by buying him out for $450,000 instead of picking up his option at $3 million. The Angels must make a decision by Oct. 31. Herzog also said the club probably will buy out Bert Blyleven, who underwent rotator cuff surgery in April and probably won’t be able to pitch next season.

The Angels’ activity in the free-agent market will hinge on their decisions on Winfield, Joyner and Schofield. Jackie Autry--the Angels’ executive vice president and wife of owner Gene Autry--has said the club must cut its $32 million payroll next season, but Herzog said he doesn’t feel constrained.

“I came here to the Angels to try and get Gene Autry in the World Series,” Herzog said, “(and) I’m not here to do it three years from now. I’m here to make the Angel baseball team as good as I can, as quick as I can. It isn’t what you spend. It’s how you put it together. We’re not going to be able to spend lavishly, but we’re going to spend sensibly.”

In brief: Herzog likes the infield of Joyner, Luis Sojo, Schofield and Gary Gaetti; thinks the outfield defense needs improvement, but would like to see more of the oft-injured Junior Felix before passing judgement, and likes the potential of the club’s young pitchers.

Sojo will miss the rest of the season with a lacerated left thumb and right little finger. He suffered the injuries in the clubhouse before Tuesday night’s game. Sojo said he sustained the seven-stitch cut in his left thumb when he tried to pick up a drinking glass he had dropped in his locker stall, and said he thought he also cut his right pinky on a shard of glass. To replace him, the Angels recalled Edmonton infielder Chris Cron and purchased the contract of Midland second baseman Kevin Flora. . . . Outfielder Shawn Green of Tustin High, the Toronto Blue Jays’ first-round pick in the June draft, has reached an agreement with the club on contract terms and is expected to sign today. Green had made a commitment to attend Stanford.