ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS CLOSE TO NAMING GM.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

The Angels are expected to appoint their new general manager this week. They had hoped to have him in place by now.

Former New York Yankees GM Bob Watson has been interviewed twice and is at the top of a short list that also includes New York Mets assistant GM Omar Minaya. Bill Bavasi resigned as the Angels' GM on Oct. 1.

Angels president Tony Tavares wanted to have his new GM in place by last Friday but has been unable to finalize anything. The Angels also have interviewed Tim Purpura, an assistant GM with the Houston Astros, and Jim Duquette, an assistant GM with the Mets.

``I know this is something Tony wants to have come to a conclusion very, very soon,'' Angels spokesman Tim Mead said. ``He has a very, very short list, but he's keeping it close to the vest.

``It should happen very soon, but we don't have anything scheduled for (today).''

The new general manager will have duties to attend to immediately, including hiring a manager to replace Terry Collins, who resigned Sept. 3. The Angels interviewed Phil Garner, but he has signed with the Detroit Tigers.

They also contacted former Angels player Don Baylor, now the hitting coach of the Atlanta Braves. Baylor has told friends he'd like the Angels job but is said to be the front-runner for the managerial position with the Chicago Cubs.

Parker steps down: In other Angels news, Jeff Parker resigned as director of player development. Parker, 29, had been with the organization since 1986 when he was a batboy. Parker, who worked closely with Bavasi, is expected to continue his career in baseball.