Angels, Tartabull’s Agent Talk, but That’s All

The Angels have been in contact with Dennis Gilbert, who represents free agent outfielder Danny Tartabull, but club President Richard Brown said he doesn’t feel compelled to sign Tartabull at any cost to compensate for losing Wally Joyner and losing in the bidding for Bobby Bonilla.

Gilbert has been seeking a five-year deal for Tartabull worth a minimum of $20 million, which led the Padres to end their pursuit Tuesday. The Angels, White Sox and Royals are still interested in Tartabull, who hit .316 for Kansas City last season with 31 home runs and 100 runs batted in.

“I wouldn’t call it negotiations yet,” Brown said Wednesday. “We’re just seeing his requirements and going from there. We’re not inclined to give him five (years), and we’re trying to determine whether there’s any space for negotiation. If that’s negotiable, we’ll talk. . . . We can always bend, but at this point in time, it’s not our desire to do that.”

Senior Vice President Dan O’Brien, who has represented the Angels in talks with Gilbert, said “nothing of substance” had developed and added he had not scheduled additional talks with Gilbert.

While Tartabull “brings a lot to any team,” Brown said the Angels have other options to fortify their offense.

“The season doesn’t start until April,” Brown said, “and we want to make sure each move improves the club. We have a lot of plans and potential trades planned, but at this time of the year, people are spending time with their families. Things should pick up after the holidays.”

Brown also said he will meet next week with Marvin Demoff, who represents free agent Kirk McCaskill. The Angels have offered the right-handed pitcher a two-year contract with a one-year option, but they are flexible.

“We’ve told his agent we’re prepared, under the right circumstances and for the right amount, to go to three years,” Brown said. McCaskill, who was to meet with Red Sox officials today in Boston during a family trip to New England, also has drawn interest from the White Sox.

Dan Grigsby, who represents free-agent shortstop Dick Schofield, said O’Brien told him the Angels had withdrawn their three-year $6 million offer without telling him when they did it.

“The whole thing is bizarre,” Grigsby said. Brown confirmed the offer “is off the table now,” and said he’s waiting to see if Schofield accepts arbitration. “He could be back, and that’s what we want,” Brown said.

The deadline for players who have been offered arbitration to accept or reject those offers is midnight (EST) tonight. If they reject arbitration, they can still negotiate with their former clubs until Jan. 8. However, if they don’t sign by then, they can’t re-sign with that club until May 1. If they accept arbitration, they can negotiate only with that club.