BASEBALL WINTER MEETINGS : Angels Apparently Far From Done

The Angels moved their latest manhunt(s) to this country and western heaven Saturday, but it’s not Willie and Waylon they want.

In the wake of Friday’s $16-million signing of free-agent pitcher Mark Langston, the new aim appears to be both Robin Yount and Joe Carter.

What’s another $16 million or so?

Owner Gene Autry, the former singing cowboy, can always book an engagement at the Grand Ol’ Opry here when he checks in Monday for the official start of the winter baseball meetings.

Mike Port, Autry’s general manager, maintained his winter pattern Saturday by remaining inaccessible to the media, but sources close to the club insist that the goal is to completely re-shape the outfield--and offense--by signing free agent Yount and trading for Carter, who hit 35 homers and drove in 105 runs for the Cleveland Indians last season.

Does one depend on the other?

Apparently not.

The rumor Saturday was that they have already offered Devon White, their inconsistent center fielder, and second baseman Johnny Ray. And, if pressed, the rumor goes, they would be willing to include either Kirk McCaskill or Mike Witt--expendable now that the purchase of Langston has left the club with six starting pitchers.

Carter, who has hit 140 homers in five full seasons, is leaving Cleveland one way or another. He is eligible for free agency after the 1990 season and has indicated he will not re-sign with the Indians, who must trade him while they can or get nothing when he leaves as a free agent.

It’s a complicated situation since any club interested in trading for Carter will want to attempt to sign him to a multi-year contract before the deal is consummated.

In addition, Carter, who lives in Leaswood, Kan., has reportedly told friends that he would sign a multi-year contract only with the Kansas City Royals, basically his hometown team.

The Royals are reportedly interested and willing to deal outfielder Danny Tartabull. The San Diego Padres are also said to be interested and willing to deal their touted young catcher, Sandy Alomar.

There are others involved as well, but the Angels seem intent on forcing the issue, making a firm proposal to the Indians while hoping that Carter’s friendship with Langston and their obvious willingness to pay a price would convince Carter to accept a multi-year move to Anaheim, if it gets that far.

Autry, who took Langston to dinner during their negotiations and celebrated his signing by treating the pitcher to lunch at Lakeside Country Club Saturday, would presumably show Carter that same generosity.

And Yount?

Sources believe that it still comes down to a choice between the Angels or his Milwaukee Brewers, though the Padres and Chicago Cubs--who want Yount to play third base--both confirmed Saturday that they have made a three-year, $9-million offers.

But at 34 and approaching 3,000 hits, Yount is reluctant to switch leagues, according to sources, citing the adjustment it would require and Yount’s concern that the National League’s six synthetic surfaces would take a toll on his legs.

Yount wants to go out with a winner, and must decide if the Angels or Brewers offer the better possibility.

Meanwhile, it’s uncertain what the Angels have offered financially. The same package as Langston? That was the lobby rumor Saturday. Plus lunch at Lakeside, of course.

Admittedly disappointed at the Dodgers failure to sign Langston, executive vice president Fred Claire hinted Saturday that he may be willing to improve the one-year offer to Fernando Valenzuela.

The failure to sign Langston weakens the Dodgers’ pitching depth, inhibiting trade possibilities. Claire said he was concerned, as well, by the potential absence of a left-handed pitcher in the rotation.

Valenzuela and the Dodgers have been at an impasse, with the Dodgers offering only one guaranteed year and Valenzuela seeking three. There is a considerable difference in dollars as well, but the primary issue seems to be length.

“Our interest in signing Fernando is still there and the difference in years is still there,” Claire said. “But we haven’t given up hope or effort. We’ve never said, ‘that’s it’ or ‘that’s as far as we’ll go.’ ”

However, the damage to Valenzuela’s pride and psyche may have been done, and it’s not certain that even his desired three years and $6 million would undo it.