BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Angels Might Ask to Release Owen

The Angels, who can’t afford to trade for a top-quality middle infielder, are thinking of asking ownership if they can release Spike Owen and keep Mike Brumley.

Owen, acquired from the New York Yankees in December for pitcher Jose Musset, has struggled this spring. He is batting only .095 and has defensive deficiencies.

Brumley, on the other hand, is batting .350 with a team-leading 10 runs batted in. He can play every infield position and center field and left field.

The decision on whom to keep would be easy, the Angels say, if it weren’t for Owen’s contract. Owen is guaranteed $4.25 million the next two seasons, and the Angels are responsible for $500,000 each of the next two seasons. It’s unknown whether the team would be willing to eat the contract.

“It’s been a tough spring,� said Brumley, who went three for four Thursday with three RBIs. “I’ve heard some trade rumors, and I’m trying to figure everything out. I’ve just decided to get myself ready to play in the big leagues.

“I think I’ll be there, but in what colors, I don’t know.�

If the Angels can’t keep Brumley, and instead stick with Owen and Rod Correia as their utility infielders, they probably will trade Brumley to the Oakland Athletics.

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The Angels have expressed interest in infielder Jose Oquendo of the St. Louis Cardinals or Jose Vizcaino of the Chicago Cubs, but decided the acquisition would be too costly. They instead are expected to start the season with second baseman Kevin Flora. . . . Angel reliever Craig Lefferts easily had his most impressive outing of the spring with a 1-2-3 inning, lowering his ERA to 18.00. “There’s too much talent on this club not to be winning, even in spring training,� Lefferts said. . . . Bo Jackson was interviewed Thursday and will be featured on ESPN’s “Up Close with Roy Firestone.�