Angels, closer unable to agree

The Angels and closer Francisco Rodriguez have made no progress in negotiations for a 2008 contract, and it seems almost certain the two sides will have to settle their dispute during a Feb. 21 arbitration hearing in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“Sometimes you file for a trial, and that’s what we did,” said Paul Kinzer, Rodriguez’s agent. “There’s a philosophical difference between us and the Angels on where [Rodriguez’s salary] should be, so we’re going to let an arbitrator decide.”

Rodriguez, who made $7 million in 2007, has asked for $12.5 million and the Angels have offered $10 million, a $2.5-million gap that was the second-largest among arbitration filings, behind slugger Ryan Howard’s $3-million gap with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rodriguez, 26, has a major-league-leading 132 saves over the last three seasons, with 40 or more saves in each of those years.

But he struggled with his command at times in the second half of 2007, when he had a 3.45 earned-run average and four of his six blown saves. The right-hander had a 2.33 ERA in the first half.

If Rodriguez, who can become a free agent after this season, wins in arbitration, he would become the second-highest-paid relief pitcher in the major leagues, trailing only New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who will make $15 million.

The Angels attempted to secure Rodriguez to a long-term deal after the 2005 and 2006 seasons, but there were no such discussions this winter.

“But that won’t affect our thinking either way,” Kinzer said. “We’re still willing to listen [to offers] for an extension.”

Kinzer said he expected Rodriguez, who usually arrives late to camp, to report with pitchers and catchers to Tempe, Ariz., on Thursday and participate in the Angels’ first workout Friday.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com