Gant Ready for Anything

Ron Gant has started in the outfield or infield for virtually all of his 12-year major league career, but after being traded from the Phillies to the Angels for pitcher Kent Bottenfield on Sunday, he said he would have no problem adjusting to a designated hitter role.

“I’ve done it in some interleague games, and it will be a different situation, but I’m willing to take on any role,” Gant said. “I’ll hit second, I’ll DH, I’ll do whatever they ask me.”

This doesn’t seem like the Gant who came to Philadelphia in 1999 with a reputation as a malcontent, a label some tagged him with after a spat with Cardinal Manager Tony LaRussa during Gant’s time in St. Louis.

But Phillie Manager Terry Francona said Gant has been a model citizen in Philadelphia, even though the Phillies have been trying to trade him since spring training.

“He’ll go to Anaheim and hit some fastballs out a long way, and he’ll miss some breaking balls, but he’ll never stop trying to do the right thing,” Francona said. “He moves runners, he’ll take a walk, hit the cut-off man. He does a lot of little things to help you win.”

Gant will make $5 million this season, the final year of a five-year, $25-million deal, but the Cardinals are paying $2 million of it. The Angels will pay about $1 million of the remaining $3 million, so Gant’s addition, and the loss of Bottenfield’s $4 million salary, will have little impact on the Angels’ payroll this season.

Gant’s departure from Philadelphia allowed the Phillies to move Travis Lee, obtained from Arizona in the Curt Schilling deal, to left field.

“I understand the Phillies are trying to get their young players ready for a new ballpark . . . in the year 2020,” Gant said, alluding to the city’s problems putting a stadium deal together. “To go to the American League will be different, but I think I can be a nice right-side complement to guys like Mo Vaughn and Garret Anderson. I think it will work out.”

*

Bottenfield was traded by the Cardinals, who lead the NL Central, in spring training. He was traded by the Angels, who are in the thick of the AL playoff picture, Sunday.

“I think I’ll ask for a no-trade clause [from the Phillies] if they’re in contention,” Bottenfield said. “But this is my eighth team in 15 years, so I’m getting used to it. I’m chasing Mike Morgan right now.”

Morgan is the 41-year-old Arizona pitcher who has played for a record 12 teams. Though Bottenfield has been well-traveled, he welcomed a return to the National League, even though he’s going to a non-contender. Bottenfield has played most of his career--and had the most success--in the NL.

“This is not a pitcher’s league, it’s a hitter’s league, and for most pitchers, it’s a matter of survival,” Bottenfield said. “I knew for a week something would happen, I just didn’t know where. I’m going to a team with a lot of young talent, and I’ve heard great things about their coaching staff. Hopefully I can help them out.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Detroit Tigers, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net all three games.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 56-50, Tigers 48-55.

* Record vs. Tigers--2-1.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

(5-5, 5.18 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’ JEFF WEAVER

(6-9, 4.45 ERA)

* Update--Sunday’s trade for Ron Gant was well received in the Angel clubhouse. Mo Vaughn called it “a good deal,” and Tim Salmon thinks Gant will be “a good fit.” Some were still trying to get used to the idea that the Angels actually could afford to part with a starting pitcher. “We have pitching depth--do you believe that?” Darin Erstad said. “I haven’t been able to say that before.” The big question in Detroit: Will slugger Juan Gonzalez be in a Tiger uniform tonight? The Tigers were involved in serious trade talks with the Mariners about Gonzalez on Sunday. After facing their 10th left-handed starting pitcher in 12 games, the Angels finally will get a break this week when the Tigers throw three right-handers against them.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Brian Cooper (4-5, 5.05) vs. Steve Sparks (0-2, 6.55)

* Wednesday, 1 p.m.--Ken Hill (5-6, 6.56) vs. Brian Moehler (6-7, 4.76).

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.