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Angels Must Set Second Deal to Make a First

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Before the Angels can make their first trade of the major league baseball winter meetings, they will have to have their second deal lined up.

They made no trades Saturday, but General Manager Mike Port acknowledged that in order for the Angels to acquire a front-line second baseman to replace Johnny Ray, the club might have to give up center fielder Devon White. However, that transaction hinges on the Angels getting a capable center fielder from another club.

The Angels and Blue Jays reportedly are discussing a deal that would send White to Toronto for second baseman Manny Lee. After completing that trade, the Angels would send Dante Bichette to the Baltimore Orioles, who have a surplus of center fielders. The Orioles have said they would be willing to give up Steve Finley or Brady Anderson.

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Port identified the Blue Jays as one of the five or six clubs with which he is having serious talks. However, he declined to name the others.

If White is traded, Port said, “there would have to, in some way, somehow, be a center fielder involved, a deal where the Angels get a center fielder.”

The Orioles could be the source of that center fielder, given their interest in Bichette. The 27-year-old outfielder slumped badly after a fast start last season and hurt his bid for everyday status with his occasional lackadaisical performance in the field. During the season, Bichette said he will play regularly somewhere next season, but he has not requested a trade.

White’s offensive shortcomings outweighed his defensive skills this past season, after he batted .217 and exceeded 100 strikeouts for the third time in four seasons.

“Is Devon White available? Yes. How high a price are you willing to pay?” Port said. “The same could be said of virtually anybody on the club.”

That price would be prohibitive for clubs inquiring about Chuck Finley or the other four starting pitchers. But Port said the Angels might, although reluctantly, give up a pitcher to get the help needed at third base and at middle relief. Port included Mike Fetters, Scott Lewis and Joe Grahe among the pitchers the Angels would be reluctant to trade. “We really, really, really don’t want to involve those fellows, but we have to evaluate the possibility when it comes along,” Port said.

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The Angels are attempting to re-sign free agents Max Venable and Donnie Hill, but their efforts could become complicated. The Oakland Athletics might not re-sign Willie Randolph, and to replace him they are considering Hill, whose versatility and competitiveness were invaluable to the Angels last season. The A’s released Hill in August, 1989, when eye problems threatened his career. New contact lenses enabled him to play without difficulty last season.

Senior Vice President Dan O’Brien, who handles the Angels’ contract negotiations, said he has had preliminary talks with Hill’s agent, Dan Grigsby.

“At the moment, I think they’re shopping around for offers,” O’Brien said. “Once that’s done, we’ll get together with (Hill’s and Venable’s) agents.”

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