Strike Won’t Be a Big Deal to Players

If a player strike results in the cancellation of the playoffs and deprives the Angels of the chance for their first postseason appearance in 16 years, so be it.

So say the Angel players, after a briefing Tuesday by their union representative, pitcher Scott Schoeneweis.

“Obviously, we’re having a great year, and it would be unfortunate if some or all of that was lost,” Schoeneweis said. “But I feel pretty vehement about the issues. These things have to be resolved.”

Said infielder Scott Spiezio: “Nobody wants the season to end. But we’re pretty strong in our feelings, and we’ll stick together.”

Schoeneweis said “the owners are well aware” that players could set a strike date Monday in the absence of substantial negotiating progress before then. The players will submit a steroid testing proposal today, he said, but the thornier issues of revenue sharing and a luxury tax will not be solved by an agreement on steroid testing.

“I don’t know if it has any bearing for or against us getting a deal done,” he said.

*

Donald Watkins appears to be the only party interested in buying the Angels now. But a labor agreement would ensure that revenues flow uninterrupted for several years, so suitors not interested in buying into a sport on the verge of a work stoppage could swoop in once players and owners reach a deal.

Watkins acknowledges that his best chance to buy the team is now. Despite industry skepticism that he might never reach a deal if he has not done so after six months of discussions with Disney, the Alabama businessman insists his pursuit has not lost momentum.

“I’m putting a great deal of effort into getting a deal done prior to the resolution of labor issues,” Watkins said Tuesday.

“I think it is to my benefit to try to get a deal done before a work stoppage, if there is one. I work hard at this every day.”

*

Last year, the Angels signed first baseman Casey Kotchman to a $2.075-million signing bonus, the second-largest in club history behind Troy Glaus’ $2.25-million bonus in 1997, but wrist injuries have cut short each of his first two minor league seasons.

Last year, he played 11 games. This year, he played 74, hitting .292 with four home runs at Class-A Cedar Rapids. The 19-year-old hopes to rejoin the team for the Midwest League playoffs, but the Angels do not expect him to return before spring training. General Manager Bill Stoneman called the injuries “freak things”--Kotchman injured his left wrist while sliding this year--and said the Angels are pleased with his performance.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KEVIN APPIER

(9-9, 4.22 ERA)

vs.

WHITE SOX’S

GARY GLOVER

(4-5, 4.35 ERA)

Comiskey Park, 5 p.m. PDT

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Update--Garret Anderson (strained hamstring) started at designated hitter Tuesday, in his first start in three days, and he could return to left field tonight. Spiezio (bruised knee) did not play but could return tonight.