Scout’s Word: Pitching Needs to Be Improved

While the Angels consider dangling millions in front of pending free agents in outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and shortstops Kazuo Matsui and Miguel Tejada, a scout who has followed the team this season suggests the money might be better spent on pitching.

The Angel starting rotation includes Jarrod Washburn, Ramon Ortiz, John Lackey, Aaron Sele and Scot Shields.

“There’s no top-shelf, No. 1 starter there,” the scout said. “They got by last year, when people had great years offensively. To me, the starting rotation is the key.”

The top free-agent starters include Bartolo Colon, Kevin Millwood, Greg Maddux and Andy Pettitte.

With the Angels apparently determined to upgrade at shortstop, the scout pointed out a choice between David Eckstein and Adam Kennedy at second base could be determined by whether they can find an alternative to Eckstein as the leadoff hitter. The scout cited injuries as the primary reason for the downfall of the offense, with Eckstein, Darin Erstad, Troy Glaus and Brad Fullmer all out.

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The Angels and Kansas City Royals will play a 4 p.m. doubleheader Saturday at Edison Field, with the extra game serving as the makeup for last Saturday’s rainout in Kansas City.

The Royals had hoped to play the game at home, but the players’ union, acting on behalf of the Angels, vetoed the suggestion to play on today’s off day. The Angel players declined to waive the rule that forbids teams from scheduling games on more than 20 consecutive days. Major league officials turned down the Royals’ original plan to schedule the game Sept. 29, the day after the regular season ends.

One ticket will be good for admission to both games of the doubleheader, the first at Edison Field in six years. Tickets already sold for Saturday’s game will be honored. The Angels will be the home team in both games.

“The one thing that really concerns me is not getting to bat as the home team,” Kansas City General Manager Allard Baird said. “It’s still our home game.”

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Attention Angel memorabilia collectors: The Metrodome souvenir stands this week sold commemorative 2002 AL championship series sweatshirts, marked down from $50 to $15. Not a big seller here, understandably, after the Angels thumped the Twins in the series.