Moreno Keeps Eye on Market Place

TEMPE, Ariz. — In the latter stages of the Autry regime and throughout most of the Disney regime, Angel owners tried to convince fans and the media that the Angels were a medium-market team.

It was the convenient party line when reporters questioned why the Angels wouldn’t spend the money needed to acquire the impact pitcher or player who could vault them into the playoffs.

Arte Moreno, who purchased the Angels from Disney in May, has an entirely different mind-set. He made it clear, as Angel pitchers and catchers began spring training workouts Friday, that this winter’s $146-million free-agent splurge was the beginning of a major paradigm shift, not a one-time shopping spree.

“We’re a big-market team and should act like one,” said Moreno, who plans to be a regular at Tempe Diablo Stadium this spring. “We’re in the No. 2 media market in the country. There’s no reason we can’t bring a championship-caliber team here every year.”

The Angels signed free-agent outfielders Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen and pitchers Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar this winter, bumping the payroll from $79 million to $108 million.

Though there was some impulse involved in the Guerrero deal -- the Angels jumped into the bidding with a last-minute, five-year, $70-million offer that the former Montreal star accepted -- the moves reflect a calculated effort on Moreno’s part to acquire premium players in the prime of their careers.

“We have a business plan,” Moreno said, “and it’s not like it’s written on the back of a napkin.”

That plan includes signing outfielder Garret Anderson to a long-term extension, which Moreno reiterated Friday “is our top priority,” and fielding a team that can compete with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for the American League pennant, despite the Yankees’ acquisition of Alex Rodriguez.

“I think we line up pretty well against them,” Moreno said. “Our two-three-four-five-six-seven spots in the lineup can play anywhere. Our top pitchers are as competitive as anyone. Our bullpen is better than anybody’s.”

While the Rodriguez trade fueled controversy, with Red Sox owner John Henry’s calling for a salary cap and others howling about the rich getting richer, Moreno would not criticize the deal that pushed the Yankee payroll to $190 million.

“The Yankees didn’t do anything out of line ... they could afford him and made a good deal,” Moreno said. “But the last three World Series winners were [moderate payroll teams] Florida, Anaheim and Arizona. At the end of the day, to win, all the planets have to be aligned, and you have to have the right chemistry. I haven’t seen anyone buy a championship yet.”

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The Angels were not thrilled that reliever Francisco Rodriguez played winter ball in his native Venezuela. “Our preference would have been for him to not pitch,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said, “and if he did, to knock off by Christmas.”

So it was with some relief that Rodriguez, who recovered from a rocky April to go 8-3 with a 3.03 earned run average in 86 innings last season, reported to camp in good physical condition after throwing 45 1/3 winter innings and pitching through the Caribbean Series in early February.

“Everybody needs a break to give your body and mind a chance to rest a bit,” Stoneman said. “Having said that, the way he was used this winter is how we would have wanted him used. He wasn’t abused. I didn’t see him throw three days in a row, and he wasn’t stretched out for 45 pitches.”

Rodriguez, who agreed to terms Friday on a $375,000 contract for 2004, said he was able to work on his conditioning, command of his pitches and holding runners on base. “I wanted to come to spring training in shape and ready to pitch,” he said. “I feel great. My body feels good.”

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Reliever Greg Jones, who appeared in 18 games for the Angels last season, will sit out all of spring training because of biceps tendinitis.... Right-hander Ervin Santana, one of the Angels’ top pitching prospects, has tightness in the back of his throwing shoulder and will be limited to conditioning drills for a week or two.... Catcher Wil Nieves agreed to terms on a 2004 contract Friday.