Executives Are in Batter’s Box

Approaching the midpoint of a 162-game schedule, the message is becoming increasingly clear: Bill Stoneman and Dan Evans are going to have to try to deliver one, which is not to say they haven’t already been trying or that it will be easy.

There is no Western Union around the next corner in baseball, but the inability of the inconsistent Angels and offensively inept Dodgers to resolve a half-season of problems with their rosters as now constituted -- as the respective general managers have consistently said was within the capability of those rosters -- seems to leave only one conclusion:

Both should be wiring for help -- the type of move that would impact performance, invigorate the clubhouse and convince the players that the front office is behind them.

The type of move that requires a two- or three-way fit and, in reality, may require more resources than they have or are willing to commit.

The type of move, as underscored by the Montreal Expos’ attempt to acquire Juan Gonzalez, that has become increasingly difficult because of complex contracts and economics, among other factors, and the annual impact of the wild card, compounding the uncertainty for many general managers.

“There are a number of clubs not ready to make a commitment yet because they simply don’t know if they’re in or out [of the race],” Evans said, meaning there will be a lot more conversations closer to the July 31 trade deadline.

Still, the facts are what they are for the Angels and Dodgers, and among those facts are these:

* Only eight months after winning the World Series and with projected attendance of close to three million, the Angels are about to blow out second-half hopes for that reenergized fan base. They are already on the cusp (if not worse) of the division race, trail seven teams in the wild-card competition, have been unable to stabilize their starting pitching and are averaging 1 1/2 runs fewer per game than in their postseason rampage.

* The Dodgers, with a chance to ice the division, continue to waste it, sacrificing the major leagues’ best pitching with the worst offense, epitomized by Shawn Green’s struggle, Brian Jordan’s persistent injuries and the semi-automatic outs that reduce that offense to six innings or fewer per game.

In addition, while the Dodgers can take satisfaction in the National League’s third-best record and their two-team division fight with the San Francisco Giants, neither of those two teams should look behind them, as Satchel Paige advised. The Arizona Diamondbacks are stirring in the shadows, and Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson are about to rejoin the rotation

With all of that, as critical and pivotal as it seems, the concept of an impact move by the Dodgers may be problematic.

There is limited interest in Adrian Beltre and cautious unwillingness on the part of the Dodgers to deal Dave Roberts or weaken the bullpen by trading Guillermo Mota or Paul Shuey, even though the idea of Mota or Shuey negating the acquisition of a bona-fide hitter is difficult to digest.

In addition, the Dodgers may lack the prospect depth to trade for a run producer of Mike Lowell’s caliber (if the Florida Marlins even decide to trade him), and there is still a reluctance to take on the type of dollars that would put the Dodgers over the luxury-tax threshold, although Evans insists he is not encumbered by the club’s sale negotiations.

He said that his trade talks are not restricted to one player or one position, but he added, “I don’t circle dates on the calendar and say we have to make a move by then. Nor do I think we’re in a situation where we have to make a move today or tomorrow.

“I still believe our offense will improve in the second half. We have some guys with track records, and the overwhelming evidence is that players ultimately come back to those levels.

“I know it’s easy to get emotional after a couple one-run losses to the Giants, but we’re not going to deviate from our long-range plans.”

Neither, of course, will Stoneman, who maintains that the Angels have the talent to do what they did last year but is “perplexed and disappointed” that “not just one or two but a number of guys” haven’t played back to their 2003 form.

“We certainly didn’t expect this inconsistency, particularly from our rotation,” he said.

As much as the off-season decision to bring back the roster virtually intact may have bred a degree of complacency, and as much as a trade might now help light a fire, the season may be so far gone already, the inconsistency so pervasive, that it’s difficult to say what the Angels need most.

A starting pitcher, such as the struggling Jeff Weaver?

A bona-fide hitter, such as Carlos Beltran, who may be off the market now anyway with his Kansas City Royals back leading the American League Central?

One thing is certain:

Although no one is untouchable, according to Stoneman, “I think you know that I’m not the type guy to blow things up just to do something.”

Nor will he trade top prospects, deviating from a long-term commitment that has been underscored by the new owner. It’s a chess game. The Angels will be out from under the Aaron Sele and Kevin Appier contracts after the 2004 season, but face the re-signing of Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus at the same time, if not before.

There is also Arte Moreno and his $183.5-million investment to consider.

The new owner inherited a $76-million payroll, which at one point came with an $8-million cushion in that Disney, desiring to keep the World Series roster together in an attempt to make it more attractive to a prospective buyer, gave Stoneman permission to go to $84 million if necessary, now providing trade flexibility, perhaps.

“I don’t think that’s changed,” Stoneman said. “I wouldn’t hesitate asking for more money if I thought it would help acquire a player who could really make us better.

“I also don’t think Arte would hesitate approving it.”

Help is what the Angels and Dodgers need and the message they should author.

It’s just that it requires more than a money order to deliver.