ANGELS : Snow Foe: Pressure of Trade

First baseman J.T. Snow senses the inevitable. The whispers are starting, and unless he receives some help from two of his former teammates, he knows the comparisons will begin.

“If the other two guys don’t make it,” Snow said, “everyone’s going to be saying, ‘Oh, they traded Jim Abbott straight up for J.T. Snow.’

“It’s not fair, because it was a three-for-one trade, but if I’m the only guy on the big league team, that’s what everybody’s going to say.

“I guess that’s why I’m pulling like crazy for both of those guys.”

Starter Russ Springer and left-handed reliever Jerry Nielsen, who were acquired with Snow from the New York Yankees, probably won’t be on the Angels’ opening-day roster. Springer is 0-1 with a 9.24 earned-run average this spring. Nielsen has a 5.00 ERA.

“Russ hasn’t told me, but I’m sure he’s trying to prove what he’s got,” Snow said. “I know if he just relaxes, he’ll be fine. And I’m sure Jerry’s going through the same thing.

“It’s different for me, because I’m an everyday player. If I have a bad day, I’m coming back the next day. But for a pitcher, you can’t do that.”

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers says Snow is putting undue pressure on himself. Snow is batting .186, with two doubles his only extra-base hits.

“I’m going to sit down and talk with him,” Rodgers said. “He’s pressing a little bit, and I think I know why.”

Said Snow, who is in a four-for-29 slump: “I think it’s just a case where I’ve hit the wall. I was running on so much adrenaline those first couple of weeks, and that’s worked off.

“I’ve got to get it back.”

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Although middle reliever Chuck Crim is guaranteed to receive $1.1 million this season, Rodgers said Crim’s salary will have no bearing on decisions regarding the pitching staff.

The Angels have informed teams that Crim is available for a trade, and the team would be willing to pay part of his contract. Crim is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA this spring.

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Barring unforeseen circumstances, Rodgers said, the Angels’ opening-day lineup will be as follows:

Luis Polonia, LF

Chad Curtis, CF

Tim Salmon, RF

Chili Davis, DH

J.T. Snow, 1B

Rene Gonzales, 3B

Damion Easley, 2B

Greg Myers, C

Gary DiSarcina, SS

When the Angels face a left-handed starter, Rodgers said, Gonzales or third baseman Gary Gaetti will bat fifth, moving Snow to sixth. Also, DiSarcina will move to the eighth spot, and John Orton will replace Myers as the catcher, batting ninth.

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The Angels’ exhibition against the San Francisco Giants was canceled Friday because of rain.