Fullmer Might Lose His Wings

The Angels could bid farewell to designated hitter Brad Fullmer today.

The Angels and Fullmer’s agent, Arn Tellem, were believed to be discussing a contract that would avoid an arbitration hearing. As of Thursday, the Angels were leaning toward releasing Fullmer if they could not reach a contract agreement by today’s deadline.

The Angels want to keep Fullmer, but they do not want to risk a hearing in which an arbitrator could award him a salary of as much as $5 million. He made $3.75 million last season.

General Manager Bill Stoneman declined to discuss the situation. Tellem did not return a call for comment.

Fullmer, 27, hit .289 with 19 home runs and 59 runs batted in last season. The Angels have discussed alternatives as a left-handed designated hitter, including David Ortiz, whom the Minnesota Twins released this week. The Twins didn’t want to risk arbitration with him.

Ortiz, 27, who made $950,000 last season, hit .272 with 20 homers and 75 RBIs last season. He batted cleanup in all but one game of the American League championship series against the Angels, hitting .313.

The Angels signed utility infielder Benji Gil to a one-year contract worth $725,000, avoiding arbitration. They are expected to offer contracts to three arbitration-eligible players -- infielder Adam Kennedy and pitchers Jarrod Washburn and Scott Schoeneweis -- but not to reliever Al Levine. Levine started last season as setup man to closer Troy Percival but did not make the playoff roster.