BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Anderson Happy to Have Chad Curtis

Detroit Manager Sparky Anderson called the Tony Phillips-for-Chad Curtis spring-training deal between the Tigers and Angels “probably the most even trade ever.”

Phillips, who has brought veteran leadership and intensity to the Angels, is batting .288 with 14 home runs, 37 runs batted in, an American League-leading 64 runs and 63 walks. The lead-off batter has a .424 on-base percentage.

Curtis, who leads off for Detroit, is batting .283 with 12 home runs, 45 RBIs and 50 runs and has strengthened the Tiger defense considerably.

“The two have really helped the two clubs in different ways,” Anderson said. “We needed a center fielder, and Chad has certainly done that for us. And Tony has done great things for the Angels. That’s the way deals should be made.”

Curtis, a three-year starter for the Angels who never seemed to conform to the team’s perception of the lead-off role, said he feels more productive and comfortable in Detroit, even though he has a much lower on-base percentage (.365) than Phillips.

“California needed a more prototypical lead-off hitter,” Curtis said. “Detroit’s 3-4-5 hitters were more established, so that freed me up to go out there and do what I do. They don’t care if I look like a lead-off guy or not. You only lead off once a game.”

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A source close to the Minnesota Twins said Friday the team is evaluating the Angel farm system for prospects to be included in a potential trade for pitcher Kevin Tapani.

The Angels had a scout in New York Thursday to watch Tapani pitch against the Yankees, but general managers from both teams said no deal is imminent. Angel GM Bill Bavasi also denied the Angels have submitted a list of players to the Twins to be considered for a deal.

He did say, however, that “if there is a team with pitching available, we’re talking to them.”

Catcher Todd Greene, the highly sought-after Angel prospect mentioned in most trade rumors, has been promoted to triple-A Vancouver after hitting .327 with 26 home runs and 57 RBIs at double-A Midland.

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And you wondered why they call Angel utility player Rex Hudler the Wonder Dog? Hudler didn’t realize his fifth-inning liner to left field Friday was foul until he had rounded second at full speed.

Sensing a touch of derisiveness in the Tiger Stadium cheer, Hudler turned embarrassment into humor when he slid into third, much to the delight of the laughing Tiger fans.

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Biggest understatement of the evening Friday: The Detroit public address announcer wishing fans a “warm welcome” to Tiger Stadium. . . . The Tigers have not hit a home run in five consecutive games for the first time since 1993. . . . Tiger shortstop Alan Trammell’s double in the sixth inning was hit No. 2,300 of his 19-year major league career.