Angels Make a Move and Mull a Few Others

The Angels made one minor move Wednesday, and continued to work on some major ones.

Team officials announced they had signed catcher Eric Helfand to a minor league contract, but the Angels still have specific needs to address. The Angels have inquired about designated hitter Paul Molitor and second baseman Bip Roberts.

“It’s probably not a good practice to comment on the level of interest we have on any free agent,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “We make announcements when we sign them.”

Ron Simon, Molitor’s agent, said the Angels made contact two weeks ago and are one of the five teams interested. Baltimore, Toronto, Cleveland and Minnesota also have made contact. Molitor, who was born in St. Paul, hit .305 with 10 home runs and 89 runs batted in playing in 135 games with the Twins last season.

The Angels are without an everyday designated hitter. They did not offer contracts to Tony Phillips, who was arrested for drug possession in August, and Rickey Henderson, who was unimpressive after being acquired in a trade with San Diego.

Molitor said he has talked with Angel Manager Terry Collins and third baseman Dave Hollins, who is a close friend. But he said the Angels have not made an offer.

“[Collins] said he thought I might be a nice fit,” said Molitor, 41. “But they had a priority to acquire a top-line pitcher, either through free agency or a trade.”

The Angels’ interest in Molitor may have waned because of his price tag. He turned down a $2.75-million player option with the Twins and filed for free agency after last season. A baseball source said Baltimore offered Molitor a one-year contract worth $4 million and the Blue Jays offered a two-year deal worth $7 million, both may be well above what the Angels are willing to pay.

Simon said Molitor would make a decision by Monday.

Roberts may be more affordable and fill a greater need. Even at 34, he is still fast enough to bat leadoff and can play second base. He made $1.15 million last season. Roberts hit .302 with Cleveland after being acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals last season.

The Angels have invited Helfand, 28, to spring training as a nonroster player. He batted .315 for Las Vegas, the Padres’ triple-A team last season. He was originally a second-round draft pick by Oakland in 1990 and hit .209 in 38 games for the A’s in 1995.