Some Irons Remain in Port’s Winter Fire : Angels: General manager is pleased with the club’s latest trades, but says he’s not through yet.

Although their most pressing need was satisfied with the acquisition of second baseman Luis Sojo, the Angels left the winter baseball meetings Wednesday intent on continuing to deal.

“We’re happy with what we’ve gotten done to this point, and I don’t think there’s anything we’ve done here that can be undersold,” General Manager Mike Port said. “But there are some irons still in the fire.”

Before departing, Port talked with the St. Louis Cardinals about infielder Rex Hudler, the Houston Astros about third baseman Ken Caminiti and the Chicago White Sox about their four left-handed relievers.

Several clubs have shown interest in Angel second baseman Johnny Ray, whose departure was almost certainly sealed by the acquisition of Sojo. But Ray’s defensive shortcomings are well known, so he probably wouldn’t bring much.

Port also continued discussions with the Montreal Expos about outfielder Tim Raines, a proposition that will be evaluated in the next few days.

“I can’t tell you anything with Montreal is impossible and out of the question,” Port said. The Expos didn’t ask for right-hander Kirk McCaskill, as they did about a year ago, but Port said he would listen if they did.

“Anyone’s interest in Kirk is easily understood because of his abilities and because I think he’s primed to have an outstanding year,” Port said. McCaskill was 12-11 last season with a 3.25 earned-run average despite bone chips that required surgery after the season.

“(To trade McCaskill) it’s got to be the right deal not only in respect to our needs but to the quality pitcher Kirk McCaskill is,” Port said. “I’d prefer not to trade him, as I preferred for emotional reasons not to trade Devon White and Willie Fraser. Objectively, I had to do some things to improve the club. I’d really prefer not to trade Kirk, but I try never to say never.”

The Cardinals reportedly want a left-hander from the Angels for Hudler, who has played mostly at second and shortstop. It’s not clear what the White Sox want in return for Ken Patterson or Scott Radinsky, the left-handers they might make available.

The Angels’ interest in Philadelphia Phillies reliever Don Carman and Minnesota Twins third baseman Gary Gaetti could result in deals in the next few days.

Philadelphia has decided not to offer arbitration to Carman, making him a free agent without compensation to the Phillies. Carman, a veteran left-hander, was 6-2 with a 4.15 ERA. Bill Krueger, who was 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, is also a possibility, because he’s a free agent who wouldn’t require compensation.

Gaetti is an intriguing possibility at third. He’s expected to be granted new-look free agency, and signing him wouldn’t cost the Angels a draft pick. But he could command a high price for his 758 runs batted in and 201 home runs over nine major league seasons. His just-completed three-year contract paid him a total salary of $4.3 million.

Gaetti’s batting average and home run production have plunged over the past three seasons, falling from .301 with 28 home runs in 1988 to .251 with 19 homers in 1989 and to .229 with 16 homers last season. But his RBI totals have remained consistent, at 88 in 1988, 75 in 1989 and 85 in 1990. The Angels’ top RBI producer last season was Dave Winfield with 78.

“If it does happen, we’ll have to re-examine it as a possible alternative,” Port said of Gaetti’s availability. “However we accomplish it, with Jack Howell in the picture or not, we need more production at third base.”

Port credited his ability to produce three deals at the meetings to the reduction of his duties following the restructuring of the front office.

New club President Richard Brown shares final approval of all deals with owners Gene and Jackie Autry, but Port arranged the two trades that brought the Angels Sojo and Junior Felix from the Toronto Blue Jays and Dave Gallagher from the Baltimore Orioles, and the signing of Ed Vosberg to a triple-A contract.

“With Richard Brown on board now, not that baseball ever suffered, but it’s given me a chance to get back into baseball and away from the other business matters that had taken my time,” Port said. “To this session we brought a good crew who did a good job. . . . For the amount of time we’ve been here, we covered a lot of ground.”