BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Front Office Aware of Poor Timing

The Angel front office may have been convinced they made the right move Tuesday in firing Manager Buck Rodgers, but they have braced themselves for bashing from the public.

They already have been compared to the Clippers, and firing their manager one day after the Clippers fired Coach Bob Weiss, well . . .

“It does fuel it,” Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “We considered that for a few minutes. But does that make it right because it fuels scrutiny in the media?

“We realize we’re not taking the safe route, and I realize I’ll take some scrutiny, which is fine.”

Said Angel President Richard Brown: “I know we are two organizations not known for winning, but I don’t compare us to anybody. But if that’s how we’re perceived, so be it.”

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The Angels have shaken up their coaching staff after Rodgers’ firing:

Bobby Knoop, who will be the interim manager through Wednesday, will be moved from first base to the bench coach; Max Oliveras will be moved from the bullpen to become the first-base coach; and Joe Maddon, formerly the minor league director of player development, becomes the bullpen coach.

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While the Angel pitchers are elated that Marcel Lachemann is returning, perhaps no one was more upset than Marlin closer Bryan Harvey.

“I’m not real happy about this,” Harvey said. “I’m happy for Marcel, but it really hurts us. He’s been everything to me. This is the first time I’ll be without him, so it really hurts.”

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Veteran starter John Farrell, whom Rodgers was pushing to be on his pitching staff weeks ago, will join the Angels today when they purchase his contract. The Angels will make room for him on the roster by placing reliever Scott Lewis on the 15-day disabled list with a strained neck.

Farrell was 4-4 with a 3.25 earned-run average at triple-A Vancouver with four complete games and a shutout. He will start Thursday in place of Mark Leiter, who has been moved to the bullpen.

The Angels also are expected to call up Russ Springer, perhaps by the end of the week.

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White Sox leadoff hitter Tim Raines, who was managed by Rodgers in Montreal, has had the displeasure of seeing Rodgers fired twice.

“It’s unfortunate, surprising,” Raines said, “I don’t understand it. I talked to him (Monday), and it seemed to me like everything was going pretty good. Next thing I know, they’re having a press conference.”