Fullmer Becomes Free Agent

The Angels tossed Brad Fullmer into the free-agent pool Friday, creating a vacancy at designated hitter that could eventually be filled by David Ortiz, Robert Fick or even Fullmer himself.

“If it’s Brad Fullmer, fine,” Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “If it’s not, it’s going to be somebody who’s as good as Brad Fullmer.”

Pat Rooney, the agent for Ortiz, said Friday that Stoneman had called to express interest in Ortiz. Fick, cut Friday by the Detroit Tigers, said he would direct his agent to express interest in signing with the Angels.

“That would be like a dream come true,” Fick said.

Fick, 28, made the American League All-Star team last season, hitting .270 with 17 home runs and 63 runs batted in. The Manhattan Beach resident married last month, and the wedding party included a former Cal State Northridge teammate, Angel second baseman Adam Kennedy.

Ortiz, 27, hit .272 with 20 homers and 75 RBIs for the Minnesota Twins. Fullmer, 27, hit .289 with 19 homers and 59 RBI for the Angels.

The players join such other quality hitters as Frank Catalanotto, Jose Cruz Jr. and Reggie Sanders in an expanding free-agent pool created by teams unwilling to risk arbitration hearings for useful but not critical players.

With Shawn Wooten expected to return as the Angels’ right-handed designated hitter, Stoneman said he could find a left-handed designated hitter among what he called “a glut of first base-DH guys.”

Stoneman decided it did not make sense to risk an arbitration hearing in which Fullmer could have been awarded as much as $5 million. He made $3.75 million last season.

Stoneman expressed interest in retaining him but, according to Fullmer and agent Arn Tellem, did not extend a contract offer that he could have accepted in lieu of arbitration. Still, should the Angels extend an offer at a later date, Fullmer remains interested in returning.

“I didn’t even have an opportunity to say no to anything,” he said. “I would have certainly listened. “

Stoneman said last month that the Angels could accommodate Fullmer within their 2003 budget. The Angels since have announced a stiff increase in ticket prices, explaining that the revenue would help keep the World Series championship team together.

After cutting Fullmer for financial reasons, Stoneman said he did not believe the fans were betrayed.

“Had we moved Troy Glaus or somebody like that, that might be a different story,” Stoneman said. “We are going to keep the core of the team together. The core doesn’t extend to 25 players.”

The Angels also remain in search of a veteran backup outfielder. They have discussed free agents Todd Hollandsworth, John Mabry and John Vander Wal.