Guerrero Continues to Struggle in Field

The more time Vladimir Guerrero spends in right field, the more the slugger looks like a future full-time designated hitter.

Guerrero ranged into the right-field corner for Jay Payton’s seventh-inning fly ball Friday night, got there in time to make the catch, and dropped it for his 11th error, more than any other American League outfielder.

With Payton on second base, Jered Weaver retired three batters to pitch out of the jam, so the error wasn’t costly. But Guerrero’s defensive struggles have been among the most glaring on a team that leads the league with 120 errors and has given up 80 unearned runs, second-most in the major leagues.

Of his 11 miscues, five have come on fly balls that Guerrero should have caught. The 30-year-old’s strong arm also gets him in trouble -- he has overthrown cut-off men and thrown wildly past bases -- but he seems to have the most trouble making running catches to his left and catching balls over his head.

“A lot of it is explainable,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “His knees have been a little cranky, and if you’re not running with a proper gait, the ball is going to move on you. He’s played banged up this year. We’ve had to play him so much because of his impact on the lineup, and he hasn’t had as much time off as he could use.”

Scioscia says the seven years Guerrero played with the Expos on Montreal’s artificial turf, “which might as well have been cement,” took a toll on Guerrero’s knees. The manager has tried to ease that stress -- Saturday marked the 26th time this season he has started Guerrero at designated hitter.

“His aggressiveness on relay throws may be a function of him trying to do too much,” Scioscia said. “The fly balls that haven’t stuck ... a lot of that can be taken care of with good health.”

Guerrero has two years remaining on his five-year, $70-million contract, which includes a 2009 team option for $15 million, and the Angels really can’t afford to convert him to a full-time designated hitter.

They’ll need that spot for oft-injured outfielder Garret Anderson, and they may need it if they sign a free agent such as Carlos Lee or trade for a player such as Manny Ramirez this winter.

“Every player gets to that point,” Scioscia said, “but Vlad’s not at that point.”

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There has been speculation that the Angels will pursue a trade for much-maligned New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez this winter, but the third baseman has a full no-trade clause in his contract and said he would invoke it to remain in the Bronx.

“I am not going anywhere,” Rodriguez told the New York Post.

But as one door closes, another may open. The Boston Globe reported that Ramirez, through his agent, asked the Boston Red Sox last week to trade him this winter. Ramirez made similar requests the last two years, and the Angels and Red Sox engaged in serious talks last winter but were unable to strike a deal.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com