"The Angels reportedly remain interested in San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell, but they could turn their attention to the Marlins, who are prepared to deal relievers Leo Nunez and Randy Choate.

The Marlins are scouting the Angels closely, with assistant general manager Mark Wiley following the team from Baltimore to Cleveland this week. And while Nunez, who has 28 saves and is in the final two months of a $3.65-million deal, would provide depth at the back of the Angels' bullpen, the two teams don't appear to match up.

Florida is looking for a third baseman or a center fielder and the best the Angels could offer would be a deal built around either Alberto Callaspo or Maicer Izturis. The Marlins are likely to get much more elsewhere, but it is curious that Izturis played in the first four games of the trip, the first time he's played four consecutive days in more than a month.

Yet despite all that, if Sunday's nonwaiver trade deadline passes without the Angels making a deal, that would be fine with Manager Mike Scioscia.

Scioscia thinks Fernando Rodney, who struck out two batters Saturday in his first appearance since coming off the disabled list, could team with left-hander Hisanori Takahashi (two hits, one run given up in 62/3 innings since the All-Star break) to stabilize the bullpen. And he remains committed to rookie Jordan Walden as his closer despite a major league-high seventh blown save Monday.

"Jordan's been having a heck of a year for us," Scioscia said.

Offensively, the manager says recent spurts from Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells — Wells has 28 runs batted in in the last 35 games — are hopeful signs.

"In house we have the potential to get to where we need to be offensively," Scioscia said. "I've said it before: I think Arte Moreno has spent enough money. We need to get our game to where it needs to be. And I think we're already seeing some signs of it.""