Angels Sign 3 Second Basemen

The Angels, opting for quantity over quality at second base, signed three players Friday to compete for the position.

Scott Spiezio, cut by the Oakland Athletics, became the first major league free agent signed by Bill Stoneman since the Angels hired him as general manager nine weeks ago. The Angels also signed Pat Kelly and Jason Bates to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.

Spiezio, 27, lost the A’s second-base job to Tony Phillips early last season. After demoting Spiezio to the minor leagues, the A’s recalled him July 26, then acquired second baseman Randy Velarde from the Angels three days later.

Spiezio hit .243 with eight home runs last season. Kelly, 31, hit .267 in 37 games with the Toronto Blue Jays. Bates, 28, a career .239 hitter from Esperanza High and Cypress College, did not play last season because of a foot injury.

Rookie Trent Durrington also is expected to compete for the second-base job in spring training.