Martin Gets Lost Behind Fielder

Cecil Fielder, whom the Angels signed to a $2.8-million contract this winter, was the main attraction Wednesday at a news conference for the team’s new players. At the far end of the dais, almost unnoticed, was infielder Norberto Martin.

He cost the Angels $425,000, which makes him pretty cheap insurance. But Martin is also a safety net should second baseman Randy Velarde be unable to play.

Velarde missed last season after elbow surgery and his status is uncertain. When Luis Alicea, who took over for Velarde, signed with the Texas Rangers, it left the Angels extremely thin at second base.

“We don’t know if Randy will be ready,” Manager Terry Collins said. “We needed someone who could play every day at second base if needed.”

Martin, 31, was their choice. The Angels made inquiries about Mariano Duncan, who will go to Japan, according to Tony Attanasio, his agent. They also have talked with the agent for former Atlanta infielder Mark Lemke.

But Martin, who was signed last Friday, has more versatility.

“I can play every day or sit and wait,” Martin said. “I’m just happy to be here. I’ll do anything they want me to do, play shortstop, second base, pinch hit, pinch run. Anything.”

Martin hit .300 and made one error in 71 games with the Chicago White Sox last season. He hit .350 in 70 games in 1996.

“You are not going to find many guys who hit .300 in the big leagues who are willing to sit on the bench,” Collins said.

Also introduced Wednesday were infielder Phil Nevin and catcher Matt Walbeck.

It’s not only a homecoming for Nevin, who played at El Dorado High and Cal State Fullerton, but a reunion. He played for Collins in Houston, although the two expect to have better days here.

In 1995, Nevin left Collins’ office in anger, slamming the door and kicking a trash can, after being told he had been demoted to triple A.

“That was all blown out of proportion,” Nevin said. “Terry and I are two competitive people. He’s the type of guy you want to play for.”

Said Collins: “We’ve moved on. He wanted to stay in the major leagues. What manager wouldn’t want that in a player? Phil was willing to go to double A to learn to catch. That shows dedication. He’s going to win us some games this year.”

Collins said Nevin gives the Angels a right-handed hitter with power off the bench. He hit .235 with nine home runs and 35 runs batted in for Detroit last season.

Nevin hit .402 with 22 home runs for Cal State Fullerton in 1992 and was named the College World Series’ most valuable player.

“People keep asking me if it’s hard to come home to play,” Nevin said. “It has never been a problem before. I was in Detroit for two years and I still got lost going to the ballpark sometimes.”

Walbeck, 28, hit .277 with Detroit last season and will replace Chad Kreuter as the Angels’ backup catcher.

Not present were pitchers Omar Olivares, who signed for $1.35 million, and William VanLandingham, who signed for $500,000 plus $300,000 in incentives.

Angel pitcher Allen Watson will file for arbitration today, barring a last-minute deal, according to his agent, Tony Giordano.

“This is just a formality,” Giordano said. “It’s part of the process.”

Still, Watson could become the first Angel to go to arbitration since Bill Bavasi became general manager in 1994. The sides will exchange salary figures early next week. Watson filed for arbitration last season, but a deal was worked out on the exchange day.

“Each year, it gets harder and harder to do that,” Bavasi said. “They have their numbers and we have ours. We will be very prepared for arbitration if it comes to it.”

Watson, 27, who made $1.2 million last season, was 12-12 with a 4.93 earned-run average.

The Angels have invited 12 nonroster players to spring training, including pitcher Scott Schoeneweis and infielder Troy Glaus. Schoeneweis is one of the top pitchers in the Angels’ farm system and Glaus was the team’s No. 1 draft pick last season.

The starting infielders will report to camp with the pitchers and catchers for extra work. All are recovering from surgery--Velarde, first baseman Darin Erstad (elbow), shortstop Gary DiSarcina (elbow) and third baseman Dave Hollins (knee). Catcher Todd Greene is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Times staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this story.