ANGELS ENCOURAGED, YEARN FOR `NEXT LEVEL'.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

``A Breakthrough Season'' was a clever but seldom-used slogan for the 1997 Angels.

But with the club's rejuvenated confidence and attitude, a roster with playoff potential and a revamped stadium, maybe the franchise should save some marketing money and use the same motto next season.

``I told them the other day, `You have to realize how close you are,' '' said Angels manager Terry Collins, who said his players will be closely monitored during the offseason to help prevent injuries. ``We're real close . . . real close. Nothing should stand in the way of getting to the next level.

``I understand their job is six months long. I understand that they play every day for six months. But during that other six months they have to continue (to work out) and not shut down. They have to realize this is part of staying prepared and staying ready.''

After a weak outlook and a horrible spring, Anaheim was picked by most to finish third or fourth in the American League West. The Angels' season-ending record of 84-78, however, was a 14-game improvement from the last-place finish in 1996 (70-91) and landed them in second behind Seattle.

If the Angels had collapsed, the excuses were readily available.

Chuck Finley, Todd Greene, Mark Langston, Mark Gubicza and Randy Velarde spent September in the training room. The club, which Collins called the most injury-plagued he has managed, also lost Jim Edmonds, Darin Erstad, Troy Percival, Rich DeLucia and Mike James for extensive amounts of time.

And let's not forget Tony Phillips' arrest for cocaine felony possession, which kept him off the field and the team unfocused for about two weeks.

``We played some decent baseball,'' said Angels general manager Bill Bavasi, whose club led the majors in homers allowed. ``We did not get enough roster days with our best club. It always seems (like a cop-out) to talk about injuries, but I can't ignore that fact.

``We did not get enough consistent offense. Even the people we had could've supplied a little more power. As for defense, we need to keep the ball in the park a little more. We had a lot of performances that lacked and I've indicated that. But if you take in account the injuries, Terry and the coaches did a good job.''

The first priority will be signing pitcher Ken Hill. The initial report on the right-hander was disappointing since he came from Texas in struggling fashion and continued in that direction. But in his last six outings, he allowed no homers, lasted at least seven innings, threw one complete game and averaged just 3.3 hits and 1.33 runs per start.

Hill, who owns a $4.6 million option for '97, is happy with the Angels, but he wants a multiyear deal. Indications are the 31-year-old, who has played with five teams since 1994, will get his wish from the Angels.

``I'm leaning toward coming here, but it is not guaranteed,'' said Hill, who is looking for career stability. ``We have to wait and see what happens.''

The re-signing of Hill would give Anaheim a rotation that also includes Finley, who won 10 straight games before a season-ending wrist injury, and young pitchers Allen Watson (26) and Jason Dickson (25), a rookie All-Star. Angels right fielder Tim Salmon sees Hill as a ``big part of the puzzle,'' but he believes the team needs to sign another quality starter if it is serious about playing in October next season.

On the re-signing bubble for the Angels are pitchers Langston (37) and Gubicza (35), who both missed most of the season with arm problems, and infielder Luis Alicea.

1997 LEADERS

HITTING

AVERAGE: Anderson, .302

HOME RUNS: Salmon, 33

RBI: Salmon, 129

RUNS: Hollins, 101

SB: Erstad, 23

2B: Anderson, 36

3B: Alicea, 7

PITCHING

WINS: Finley, Dickson, 13

ERA: Finley, 4.23

LOSSES: Watson, 12

SAVES: Percival, 27

IP: Dickson, 209-2/3

STRIKEOUTS: Finley, 155

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: 1997 LEADERS (see text)