ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SPIEZIO HAS TO PROVE IT AGAIN.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Scott Spiezio can count on two hands how close he was to qualifying for free agency after last season.

``Nine days,'' he said. ``Nine more days (of service time) and I would have been a free agent.''

In 1999, the Oakland Athletics optioned Spiezio to Triple-A Sacramento for six weeks, a move that did the Angels a huge favor three years later. That stint eventually cost Spiezio free agency after last season, which happened to be the year he became a full-time player.

So after Spiezio hit .285, played Gold Glove-caliber defense, tied a postseason record with 19 RBI and hit the most significant home run in franchise history, the Angels could tell him, `Nice job,' and, `Let's see whether you can do it again.'

That's partially how Spiezio interpreted the Angels' decision to offer him just a one-year contract. He signed the $4.25 million deal in February.

``I think there's a little bit of that in there,'' he said. ``They probably want to see if I can do it again. If I do it again, I'll probably be a little more expensive.''

The Angels are stuck in the middle at first base because their top prospect is first baseman Casey Kotchman. But Kotchman is just 20 and has yet to complete a full season in the minor leagues due to injury.

``It's up to him how quickly he moves up. He just has to stay healthy and produce,'' Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said of Kotchman.

Stoneman also said the Angels won't rule out extending Spiezio beyond this year, but with about $61 million already committed to nine players and several more likely to receive raises thanks to arbitration eligibility, that might not be feasible.

Spiezio said he would be lying if he claimed he wasn't disappointed in the lack of a multiyear offer. But he also realizes there's no need to desert his easy-going approach because he's on the cusp of free agency. It was just a year ago when Spiezio, a switch-hitter, figured he'd be platooning with Shawn Wooten at first base. After hitting .368 against left- handers in 2002, Spiezio put those concerns to rest, at least for one more year.

``Hopefully I can have another great season, contribute to the team winning and put pressure on them,'' he said. ``You have to continue to do the job because they always have someone behind you.''

--Little offense: The Angels' offensive woes continued in a 4-3 loss to Texas, a game in which Chan Ho Park (11.57 Cactus League ERA) gave up just a solo home run to Brad Fullmer (Montclair Prep of Panorama City) in five innings. And while manager Mike Scioscia has shrugged off his team's abysmal spring hitting, he acknowledged that he'd like to see second baseman Adam Kennedy relax.

Kennedy (Cal State Northridge) went 0 for 4, dropping his average to .184 (7 for 38).

--Pitchers: Mickey Callaway geared up for the regular season with an 82-pitch, 5 1/3-inning outing. Callaway threw 10 more pitches in the bullpen after his six-hit, four-run performance.

Meanwhile, opening-day candidate John Lackey gave up six earned runs on eight hits and five walks in four-plus innings against Oakland's Triple-A team at the Angels' minor-league complex. Lackey threw 93 pitches.

``If he got to 90 pitches, that's all we're concerned about,'' Scioscia said.

While Callaway's lock on the No. 5 starter job appears strong, he hasn't been told, nor has Scioscia indicated, he has made the team. The Angels will not need a fifth starter until April 14.

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- Gabe Lacques