Fielder Is Becoming Angels’ Odd Man Out

Cecil Fielder has driven in 68 runs for the Angels this season. No one has driven in more.

So why might the Angels release him, one of several options under consideration to clear a roster spot for the pending return of the rehabilitating Todd Greene? And would such a move mean he end of Fielder’s distinguished career?

The Angels signed Fielder as the designated hitter and power source sorely missing since they traded Chili Davis to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Mark Gubicza two years ago. Fielder, 34, hit at least 28 home runs in seven consecutive seasons through 1996, including 51 for the Detroit Tigers in 1990.

In a year in which Mark McGwire and Co. take aim at Roger Maris’ record of 61 home runs and Juan Gonzalez approaches Hack Wilson’s record of 190 RBIs, Fielder has 17 homers and 68 RBIs.

“There’s a lot of guys in baseball that would like to have those numbers,” said Angel television analyst Sparky Anderson, Fielder’s manager during his glory years in Detroit.

“Some people expected him to hit 40 or 45 home runs. Those days are gone. But he can still knock in 100 runs this year.”

Said Fielder: “I’d like to do better. I think anybody would like to do better.”

Although Fielder is on pace to drive in 95 runs this season, that pace becomes less meaningful with each game he misses. Fielder sat out again Tuesday, missing a third consecutive game for the first time this year. If the Angels had not fallen into a team funk in July, they might never have promoted phenom Troy Glaus last week. But, with Glaus hitting 35 home runs in the minors and the Angels out of punch, they tried the rookie as their third baseman.

That left Fielder and Dave Hollins, the ousted third baseman, to split playing time at first base.

“You’ve got to shake things up every once in a while to get things back on track,” Fielder said. “We didn’t make any moves [at the nonwaiver trading deadline] to better ourselves.”

Hollins played well at first base last season and he provides versatility as a switch-hitter and in the field. In addition, Hollins runs well, and Fielder does not.

“Unless he hits 30 home runs and drives in 100 runs, he’s a detriment,” one major league scout said, “and it doesn’t look like he’s going to do that.”

In addition, the Angels have guaranteed Hollins $2.4 million next season. Fielder’s contract expires this year.

Fielder is nowhere near the bust Eddie Murray was last year, and his seven homers and 29 RBI in June helped the Angels to the best monthly record in franchise history. But he has hit .214 with three homers and 11 RBI since then, and Manager Terry Collins’ renewed emphasis on speed leaves little room for Fielder and Tim Salmon, and his injured foot, in the lineup.

“It isn’t a question of a guy that can’t do something any more,” Anderson said. “If you notice what Terry’s doing, he’s making this more of a running club. Certain clubs fit certain situations and certain clubs don’t. That doesn’t make the Angels wrong. That doesn’t mean Cecil still can’t knock in 100 runs. Just because he might not be able to play in this situation doesn’t mean he’s done. He can still hit, no question.”