Angels Get Big Raise in Allowance

The Angels’ quest to repeat as World Series champions will be fully funded by the Walt Disney Co. Even as Disney tries to sell the Angels, the company has approved a steep increase in player payroll that will allow the team to keep most of its championship roster intact.

The $84-million budget represents more than all but seven clubs spent last season. And, at a time when most clubs are freezing or slashing budgets, Disney has approved a 43% jump in player payroll over the past two seasons. The Angels’ payroll last season was $62 million.

“We’re one of a few clubs where the budget is increasing, and I would call that increase substantial,� General Manager Bill Stoneman said Thursday. “It is generous, and it keeps a good team together.�

In the weird world of baseball economics, the payroll increase all but ensures Disney’s reported financial losses will worsen, even with the increase in ticket prices the Angels are expected to announce shortly. The increase also does not allow Stoneman to pursue expensive free agents but permits him to pay the raises necessary to retain players.

The Angels must pay raises totaling $12 million to nine players under long-term contracts -- pitchers Kevin Appier, Ramon Ortiz, Troy Percival and Aaron Sele, outfielders Garret Anderson, Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon, third baseman Troy Glaus and catcher Bengie Molina. Raises for five players eligible for salary arbitration -- pitchers Jarrod Washburn and Scott Schoeneweis, infielders Adam Kennedy and Scott Spiezio and designated hitter Brad Fullmer -- could cost another $10 million.

Several key players -- including shortstop David Eckstein, utilityman Shawn Wooten and relievers Brendan Donnelly, Francisco Rodriguez and Ben Weber -- are not eligible for arbitration, so the Angels can pay whatever they like above the $300,000 minimum wage.

“The big issue for us is to try to keep as much of this club together as we can, so we can keep the depth that was a big part of our success,� Manager Mike Scioscia said.

For instance, the Angels plan to retain Schoeneweis as a left-handed reliever rather than replace him with a cheaper rookie. Scott Boras, the agent for Schoeneweis, has asked the Angels to consider trading the displaced starter to a team that would allow him to start again, Stoneman said. Boras did not return calls Wednesday, but Stoneman said he did not plan to honor the request.

“He pitched very well out of the bullpen, and he’s the only left-hander we’ve got coming back there,� Stoneman said. “So I don’t have an inclination to do anything along those lines.�

The forthcoming increase in ticket prices is expected to generate a small fraction of the revenue that would be necessary to offset the payroll hike. For the first time, the Angels plan to implement a variable pricing system in which higher prices are charged for games in higher demand -- for example, weekend games against the Dodgers and New York Mets.

Kevin Uhlich, senior vice president of business operations, declined to discuss details of the pricing structure but said the Angels plan to keep their average ticket price below the major league average. According to Team Marketing Report, the Angels’ average ticket price last season was $11.79, the next-to-lowest figure among American League teams.

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The Angels’ already legendary comeback in Game 6 of the World Series became even more legendary with the revelation that Erstad hit a home run despite a broken bone in his right hand, an injury that made every swing an uncomfortable one.

“How about that?� Scioscia said. “And he had a diving catch in Game 7 too. That’s Ersty. He’s going to leave body parts all over the field.�

The Angels trailed, 5-0, in Game 6, with the San Francisco Giants eight outs away from the World Series championship. They responded with the greatest comeback of any team facing elimination in the history of the Series.

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ESPN has asked major league officials to shift the Angels’ season opener from Monday, March 30 to Sunday, March 29, so the game against the Texas Rangers can be televised nationally. The Angels have endorsed the move; they would raise their championship pennant in prime time but defer World Series ring ceremonies to the second home game.

The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners are scheduled to open the 2003 season with two games in Japan earlier that week.

“We’ll be the first game in North America,� Uhlich said.

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Angels in the Wallet

*--* Contract status of key Angels: Arbitration Eligible (with 2002 salary) Jarrod Washburn ($350,000) Adam Kennedy ($375,000) Scott Spiezio ($2.275 million) Brad Fullmer ($4 million) Scott Schoeneweis ($325,000) Signed through ’04 Garret Anderson Troy Percival Troy Glaus Bengie Molina Aaron Sele Kevin Appier Ramon Ortiz Signed through ’05 Tim Salmon Signed through ’06 Darin Erstad

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