Angel Decisions Get More Difficult

The Angels’ 72-90 record this season was worse than their 81-81 finish in 1991, but Manager Buck Rodgers considers the development of the team’s young players a valuable consolation prize.

Thrust into starting roles when veterans failed or flagged, outfielder Chad Curtis and infielders Damion Easley and Gary DiSarcina got far more playing time than anyone anticipated and accelerated the club’s plan to build from within. They will make decisions on the 15-man protected list tough.

The bad news is that the minor league system is devoid of anyone within a year of making it to the big leagues, because the best minor leaguers are already on the big club.

Players likely to be protected:

Pitchers: Jim Abbott, Chuck Finley, Mark Langston, Julio Valera, Bryan Harvey, Joe Grahe, Troy Percival and Paul Swingle.

Percival has had arm problems but was 3-0 with a 2.37 earned-run average in 20 relief appearances for double-A Midland. He’s being groomed to be the closer of the future.

Angel scouts like Swingle’s arm, despite his 8-10 record and 3.75 ERA for Midland. If he isn’t protected, left-hander Hilly Hathaway (7-2 with a 3.21 ERA at Midland) will be.

Catchers: John Orton (with Greg Myers as the first player they pull back if they lose someone in the expansion draft).

Senior Vice President Whitey Herzog said the Angels “might have to protect” one or both because, with the departure of pitching coach Marcel Lachemann for Florida, “there might be some people interested in Johnny. . . . I like John Orton, and we could get into a platoon situation. We’re not going to come up with a Bill Dickey because there just isn’t one out there.”

Infielders: DiSarcina, Easley, Kevin Flora.

Gary Gaetti will be available, and the Angels hope someone takes on the remaining two years of his contract at $3 million per year. But after his .226 season, they’re not counting on being relieved of that financial burden. First baseman Lee Stevens, a major disappointment this season with his .221 average and 37 RBIs, could get that change of scenery he said he has been hoping for.

Outfielders: Curtis, Luis Polonia and Tim Salmon.

Junior Felix led the team with 72 RBIs, but Herzog said he thinks Felix will be available.

Rene Gonzales, Ken Oberkfell, Mike Fitzgerald, Hubie Brooks and Bert Blyleven are eligible for free agency or have filed.