BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Bavasi Disputes Davis’ Comments

Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi hardly was ebullient reading Chili Davis’ comments in the morning newspaper Friday, but he has no plans to discuss them with him.

Davis said Thursday night that the Angels were using this year as another rebuilding season and were trying to save money instead of trying to field a championship team.

“People can say what they want,” Davis said, “but what we’re doing right now is rebuilding and trying to save money.”

Bavasi, however, contends that the Angels are as committed to winning as any team in baseball, and if he deems it necessary, will make moves to benefit the team down the pennant stretch.

“He has his own responses to the things we did,” Bavasi said, “and I don’t begrudge him that. I defend his right to say those things and feel that way. It’s a frustrating time, he’s having a great year, and we’re not winning, I can understand it.

“I think we can be a contender now. And if contending is being in first place, we’re just 3 1/2 games out.”

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The Angels attempted to acquire left-handed reliever Mitch Williams, who recently was released by the Houston Astros, but were told that Williams will not pitch for the rest of this season.

“We had interest if he was interesting in pitching this year,” Bavasi said, “but we were told that is not the case.”

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Damion Easley was activated from the 15-day disabled list before Friday’s game and immediately had a problem.

He had no glove.

He thought that he would not be moved from third base to second base until Eduardo Perez returned from triple-A Vancouver, but Manager Marcel Lachemann informed him that he would be permanently playing second.

“I didn’t even bring a second baseman’s glove,” Easley said. “I thought it would be three weeks to a month before this happened.

“It feels like the start of a new season for me.”

Easley, who borrowed Harold Reynolds’ glove, went two for four.

The Angels made room for Easley by optioning infielder Rod Correia to Vancouver.