ANGELS GET 3 FOR 2ND; THEY SIGN SPIEZIO, DUO TO RECTIFY INFIELD NEED.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

After last season's trade of Randy Velarde to Oakland, the Angels finished the season with Double-A player Trent Durrington at second base. Friday, they signed three second basemen in an effort to find someone who can be productive at that position.

The Angels signed Scott Spiezio to a major-league contract, and signed Pat Kelly and Jason Bates to minor-league contracts for the 2000 season.

Spiezio, who was added to the 40-man roster, split time between Oakland and the A's Triple-A affiliate in Vancouver in 1999. In 89 games for the A's, Spiezio, 27, hit .243 with eight homers and 33 RBI.

``One of our goals during this offseason was to develop depth at the second base position,'' Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said. ``With the addition of these three players, we expect good competition in the infield during spring training.''

Kelly, 31, played in 37 games for the Blue Jays last season, hitting .267 with six homers and 20 RBI. Kelly has also played with the Yankees and Cardinals.

Bates, 28, was in the Tigers organization last season but did not play because of bone spurs in his left foot. He played from 1995-98 with the Colorado Rockies, hitting .239 in 319 games.

Kelly and Bates will attend spring training as non-roster invitees.