BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Bavasi Hedges on Future Plans

Two months ago the Angel front office looked at the lineup and saw a group it would want to keep together for at least another year or two. But that view probably has changed since the Angels’ six-week collapse, in which they lost an 11-game lead in the American League West.

There already is speculation the Angels will not re-sign third baseman Tony Phillips, whose average slipped from .299 on July 30 to .262 before Wednesday’s game. There are questions at second base, where Damion Easley has yet to develop into the offensive player the Angels expect.

Trading closer Lee Smith is possible, because Troy Percival appears ready for that role, and Smith’s $2-million salary could be used to pursue a starting pitcher. Catching has been a weak spot, and the bench needs to be upgraded.

General Manager Bill Bavasi said he won’t evaluate personnel until after the season. But will there be a tendency to shake things up a bit more this off-season if the Angels fail to make the playoffs after such a promising season until mid-August?

“That’s something you have to fight if things don’t work out,” Bavasi said. “This season could be a real downer, but whatever the outcome, you can build on it if you approach it the right way. You could make a lot of moves, but on the other hand, this group might have a lot more motivation to come back after what happened this season.”

*

Phillips’ first-inning walk Wednesday night was his 107th of the season, which broke the Angels’ previous single-season record of 106, set by Brian Downing in 1987.