Keeping Their Prospects Open

The Angels have 23 games left before the All-Star break, 19 against teams with winning records. If they continue to muddle around the .500 mark, they could slip far enough in the wild-card standings for General Manager Bill Stoneman to debate whether to trade some of his complementary players for prospects.

The most likely candidates could be designated hitter Brad Fullmer and reliever Ben Weber, with each playing well at an affordable price this season but potentially costly to retain next season because of the salary arbitration process.

Fullmer, making $1 million this year, is hitting .307 with eight home runs and a .392 on-base percentage. Weber, making $375,000, has a 1.93 earned-run average.

Weber, 33, has provided consistently solid middle relief during his three years with the Angels, with a 16-4 record and 2.67 ERA. He becomes eligible for arbitration for the first time next year, with the possibility of becoming a millionaire, and he has seen Stoneman abandon such middle relievers as Shigetoshi Hasegawa and Mark Petkovsek rather than risk an arbitration hearing.

The Angels could replace Weber with a rookie, perhaps Bart Miadich or Derrick Turnbow, at the minimum $300,000.

“Those guys are still improving,” Weber said. “They know what they’re going to get with me. Is it worth an extra $700,000? Do you want to mess up a bullpen that’s been so solid for the last two years?

“I really would love to pitch here for the next four years. Let’s be realistic. That’s not going to happen. How about another year?”

Stoneman would not rule that out, noting the Angels paid to retain Benji Gil and Scott Schoeneweis despite their arbitration eligibility this year. Stoneman said he has discussed potential trades with other general managers and considers no Angel untouchable but also said it is far too soon to contemplate trading players for prospects.

“We’re not there yet,” he said. “We’re not happy about the way it’s gone the past few games, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to tear the team up. We’re struggling, but it’s not going to continue forever.”

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Shortstop David Eckstein, batting .184 this month, debuted a revised stance at the suggestion of hitting coach Mickey Hatcher. Eckstein opened his front foot to better handle the inside pitch.