Wooten Asks Team to Weigh His Case

Shawn Wooten, told bluntly last summer to shape up if he wanted to get off the bench, said Monday he has lost 23 pounds over the last two months and hopes the Angels consider him for their vacancy at first base.

“I’m probably a lot cheaper than most free agents,” he said.

The Angels have provided no indication they intend to bring back free-agent first baseman Scott Spiezio. If they do not sign him by Sunday, they would retain negotiating rights only by offering salary arbitration, which is unlikely. Spiezio’s agent, Barry Meister, said Monday that he has talked with the Angels but has not had negotiations “of any substance.”

The current crop of free agents includes first basemen Robert Fick, Travis Lee and Rafael Palmeiro, with the pool expected to expand Dec. 20, when teams can release a player to avoid a potential salary arbitration hearing.

The Angels are looking for the best possible hitter, regardless of position, with first base expected to be addressed later if necessary. They remain interested in outfielders Vladimir Guerrero and Shannon Stewart and shortstops Miguel Tejada and Kazuo Matsui.

Matsui told reporters in Tokyo last weekend that 10 teams have expressed interest in signing him and that he would prefer to play in an area with a significant Japanese community so his family could be comfortable. The Angels, Dodgers, Seattle Mariners and New York Mets are expected to be among the bidders.

Wooten also is subject to the Dec. 20 deadline. General Manager Bill Stoneman said the Angels have made no decision on whether to offer Wooten a contract, which could double his salary from the $337,500 he made last season.

Wooten, 31, was scheduled to share first base with Spiezio during the 2002 season, but he injured his thumb that spring and Spiezio won the full-time job. Wooten, with career averages of .281 overall and .359 as a pinch-hitter, slumped to .243 last season, and Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels were concerned that he lacked the stamina to play every day.

Although the Angels listed him at 230 pounds, the 5-foot-10 Wooten said he weighed 246 at season’s end. He’s at 223 now, he said, on his way to 215.

“I’m in the best shape of my career,” he said. “I’ll do whatever they want me to do, but I don’t think of myself as a bench player. I’m not busting my butt so I can come in and sit.... “

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Although Boston newspapers have reported the Red Sox are expected to hire Terry Francona as their manager this week, Angel bench coach Joe Maddon said Monday he has not been told he has been eliminated from consideration. Maddon interviewed in person with General Manager Theo Epstein and by telephone with President Larry Lucchino.