ANGELS : Team Window Shops During Free-Agent Sale

The power hitter, the right-handed starter . . . everything the Angels need to become contenders in the American League West--where you don’t need much to contend--is hanging on the free-agent rack, much of it at bargain prices.

There are pitchers such as San Francisco’s Bill Swift, Toronto’s Todd Stottlemyre and Dave Stewart, and Oakland’s Steve Ontiveros, and versatile position players such as Montreal’s Larry Walker and Detroit’s Mickey Tettleton, who would provide some needed punch to the Angel lineup.

But it seems all the Angels can do is browse.

“If your wife asks you to buy a Corvette because they’re 20% below what they normally cost but you have no money, what are you going to do?” said Angel President Richard Brown, who said the team lost $10 million during the strike-shortened 1994 season. “You’re not going to buy it.

“We feel we have the nucleus of a contending club. Yes, we’re missing two ingredients. We’ll get them, but we’ll do it our way, as economically feasible as we can.”

The Angels begin spring training for an abbreviated season today with almost the same team that went 47-68, the American League’s worst record, in 1994.

They’ve added bullpen stopper Lee Smith, who should have a significant impact, but with the glut of affordable free agents on the market this would seem an opportune time to try to further upgrade the team, perhaps incurring extra cost now but increasing potential for the financial benefits that come with a contending club.

Brown, whose payroll is virtually at the $25.9-million budget, said it’s possible the Angels could pursue a free agent or two, “but we can’t add without subtracting first, through trades.”

It’s doubtful oft-injured pitcher Joe Magrane and his $1.5-million contract would draw much interest, but center fielder Chad Curtis ($1.9 million) and left-handed hitting catcher Greg Myers ($800,000) have been the subject of past trade discussions and appears to have the most market value.

“It will be a question of which team has the discretionary dollars to spend,” Brown said.

The wealthiest teams, such as the Yankees, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rockies and Marlins, probably will grab the top free agents.

“Sure, there’s a fear (of the rich getting richer), but if you can’t do anything about it . . .” Tim Mead, assistant general manager, said. “I can’t stop an earthquake either. The industry has lost one-third of its revenue for 1995. We just can’t go back to 1994 now.”

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The Angels will play a 12-game spring-training schedule, with the final four games in Southern California against the Padres, at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium on April 22 and 23 and Anaheim Stadium April 24 and 25. After intrasquad games next Tuesday and Wednesday, they’ll open Cactus League II against Milwaukee in Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Tickets for the Angels’ four games in Tempe Diablo this spring will be reduced by $2, and tickets for the Padre-Angel series will be half-price.

The Angels are tentatively scheduled to open the regular season at home against the Detroit Tigers April 26. All seats will be $1, and season-ticket holders will get in free. The Angels will charge regular ticket prices for their remaining 71 home games.

Those who have purchased tickets for April games that have been canceled will receive refunds.

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Adam Katz, one of the agents representing designated hitter Chili Davis, said he has not had “substantial discussions” with the Angels regarding Davis, who is eligible for arbitration but had previously reached a tentative understanding with the team on a three-year, $11.25-million deal.

Brown said the deal would have to be re-evaluated, “but our desire to have him has not dwindled. We want him and another bat (behind him in the order) to protect him.”

Notes

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina, one of many Angels to trickle into the clubhouse Monday, said he’s ready to give up his role as the team’s assistant player representative. “It’s just too much--I don’t know how (player rep Mark) Langston did it,” he said. . . . Luis Raven, 26, an outfielder from Venezuela, won’t be able to report to Tempe for a week to 10 days, until he secures a work visa. Manager Marcel Lachemann said that virtually assures Raven will start the season at triple-A Vancouver. . . . The Angels will work out at their minor league complex at Mesa Thursday through Monday.