Toronto Dangles Sprague, Hoping to Hook Abbott

The Blue Jays again appear to be interested in acquiring Angel left-hander Jim Abbott, for whom they offered five players in a mid-season deal that was rejected by Angel Senior Vice President Whitey Herzog.

This time, though, they hope to tempt the Angels with a package that includes catcher Ed Sprague, whose pinch-home run gave the Blue Jays a victory in Game 2 of the World Series, and they’re willing to deal before the expansion draft next month.

Toronto has four catchers who would have to be protected: Pat Borders, Randy Knorr, Sprague and Carlos Delgado, who was named the most valuable player in the Florida State League this season.

The Blue Jays want to keep Borders and Delgado and would like to trade Sprague--whose value to the Angels would be enhanced by his ability to play third base--rather than lose him in the expansion draft.

Toronto General Manager Pat Gillick, who during the season offered Greg Myers, Rob Ducey, Todd Stottlemyre, Pat Hentgen and Derek Bill to the Angels, said Tuesday he hasn’t spoken to Herzog recently. Asked if he’s still interested in Abbott, Gillick smiled and winked but said nothing.