BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Easley Receives Vote of Confidence

He might not be drawing comparisons to Ozzie Smith, but Damion Easley’s transition from second base to shortstop has gone so well the Angels are no longer seeking to trade for another shortstop.

The Angels had discussions with the Detroit Tigers (Chris Gomez), New York Mets (Jose Vizcaino) and Kansas City Royals (Greg Gagne) about a possible replacement for the injured Gary DiSarcina, but “we’re not actively in the market” any more, said Tim Mead, assistant general manager.

“Half the battle is wanting to take the challenge, and Damion never shied away from it,” Mead said. “He has the range and the arm, and he’s made the adjustments. He’s done a good job, we have a Gold Glove second baseman [Jose Lind], and protection on the way in [triple-A shortstop Dick] Schofield . . . and we’re winning.”

Manager Marcel Lachemann said he’s “comfortable” with his double-play combination but didn’t rule out the possibility of Schofield, the former Angel who was signed when DiSarcina tore a ligament in his thumb Aug. 3, joining the Angels as a backup. Schofield spent a week training in Mesa, Ariz., before playing his first game for triple-A Vancouver on Wednesday.

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Lachemann cringes whenever conversation turns to the postseason--he practically scolds reporters for asking questions about the Angels possibly making the playoffs.

“Focus too far down the road and you get your face slapped,” Lachemann said before Thursday night’s game.

So what was awaiting reporters in the press box Thursday night? A stack of Angel media credential applications for the American League playoffs.

And who’s meeting today to discuss potential postseason opponents? About two dozen Angel scouts. Beginning in early September, the Angels will probably have two scouts--one to evaluate pitchers, one for hitters--traveling with playoff contenders from both the American and National leagues.

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DiSarcina, who had thumb surgery last week and is probably out for the rest of the regular season, said he will know in two weeks whether he’ll have any chance of making a comeback in the postseason.

“I’m not going to rule out anything--it’s too early,” he said.

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Garret Anderson, whose .348 average through Wednesday would rank second in the league if he had enough at-bats, could win rookie of the year, but it’s doubtful he’ll be eligible for the AL batting title.

Players need to make an average of 3.1 plate appearances a game--446 in a 144-game season. Anderson had 243 through Wednesday, meaning he’d have to average 4.95 plate appearances a game--and play in all of the Angels’ remaining games--to qualify.