Sweeney Looks to Be Too Costly

Manager Mike Scioscia acknowledged Friday that the Angels made a serious run at Kansas City slugger Mike Sweeney, but the teams still don’t appear to match up for a trade.

“We have to look at how it would impact the club in the short term and the long term, and that might handcuff what we can do in the future,” Scioscia said. “It’s being explored, but the well in this organization isn’t bottomless.”

Sweeney, who is batting .315 with 15 home runs and 57 runs batted in and could provide a sagging Angel offense with a considerable boost out of the designated hitter spot, is owed $31 million more through 2007, and the Royals have made it clear they are unwilling to pick up any of Sweeney’s salary.

In addition, the Angels do not appear to be willing to part with the players and prospects Kansas City has asked for, though the price could come down as Sunday’s 1 p.m. PDT non-waiver trade deadline approaches. Most teams have inquired about reliever Scot Shields, utility player Chone Figgins and triple-A catcher Jeff Mathis.

“We have the financial flexibility to do some things, but within reason,” Scioscia said. “Some [potential deals] are not feasible based on an economic basis; some are not feasible based on the players we would have to give up to make a deal.”

If the Angels can’t acquire a significant hitter -- or a significant starting pitcher or reliever -- they seem willing to stand pat heading into August.

They briefly considered San Diego’s Phil Nevin, who appeared headed to the Texas Rangers on Friday night, and New York Met catcher Mike Piazza could be had for a mid-level prospect, but the Angels don’t seem interested.

The Angels also inquired about Toronto’s Shea Hillenbrand and Detroit’s Rondell White, and Florida’s Juan Encarnacion is available.

“This club has been aligned around pitching and defense and production from guys who are struggling right now,” Scioscia said, alluding to players such as center fielder Steve Finley (.229) and shortstop Orlando Cabrera (.243). “But that doesn’t mean the whole machine is broken.”

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The Angels bolstered their bullpen Friday by recalling left-hander Jake Woods from triple-A Salt Lake and optioning utility player Zach Sorensen to Salt Lake. Angel relievers combined to throw 9 1/3 innings in Thursday night’s 18-inning loss to Toronto. ... Right-hander Chris Bootcheck, who is 4-3 with a 4.72 earned-run average at Salt Lake, is expected to be called up to start Sunday against the Yankees, taking the rotation spot of the injured Jarrod Washburn (forearm tendinitis). There’s a chance that reliever Kevin Gregg, if not needed today, could start Sunday. ... Dallas McPherson, on the disabled list because of hip, groin and lower-back injuries, is expected to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment with the rookie league team in Mesa, Ariz., early next week.