Port Denies Specific Interest in Acquiring Dave Winfield

Although Angel General Manager Mike Port acknowledged that he has had trade talks with the New York Yankees, Port denied that he is particularly interested in--or close to--acquiring outfielder Dave Winfield.

Port said he has spoken with the Yankees “along with six other clubs.” He said the presence of Angel special assignment scout Cookie Rojas at the Yankees’ camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., did not signify anything besides a normal preseason evaluation of an opposing team’s talent. He said Rojas was not sent specifically to monitor the progress of Winfield, who missed last season after undergoing surgery for back problems.

The Angels’ need for a power hitter is obvious, and Port has said that he would prefer a power-hitting right fielder. Port’s bargaining chips are pitchers Mike Witt and Kirk McCaskill, who are vying for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

“So far, we have nothing particular going on with the Yankees more than any other club, and anything we have with anybody is preliminary and investigative,” Port said.

Port said Rojas was in Fort Lauderdale because Rojas lives in Florida and began his trip at the Yankees’ camp before working his way to other teams’ camps throughout the state.

“If Rich Schlenker (another special assignment scout) passes through Plant City and happens by Cincinnati’s camp and has occasion to see Eric Davis, will that start Eric Davis rumors?” Port said. “Right now I can’t tell you that we necessarily have anything going with anyone.”