Angels Leave Meetings the Way They Came In

The Angels came to baseball’s general manager meetings with every intention of making a trade, doing something, anything, to blur the memories of the 1994 season.

Instead, Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi and assistant Tim Mead packed their cars Thursday morning, and by 11:30, were headed home with the same team.

“It was good that we were able to learn what people think about our club,” Bavasi said, “and we talked about a lot of possibilities with a lot of teams.

“But it was not good that we were not able to strengthen our club. We really wanted to do something.”

The Angels talked with every team, and even thought they might have a trade lined up, but it fell though Thursday and they have doubts it can be resurrected.

“Had another club been able to make a deal,” Bavasi said, “then we could have, too. But we got shut down. Who knows what will happen now?”

The Angels made it clear during these meetings that they have plenty of folks available. Center fielder Chad Curtis, third baseman Spike Owen, first baseman J.T. Snow, right-handed starter Phil Leftwich and relievers Joe Grahe and Mike Butcher can all be moved.

They’ll listen to proposals for left-handed starter Chuck Finley, but unless they’re completely overwhelmed, Finley will stay. Oh, yeah, and they’re willing to give away left-hander Joe Magrane.

“I think a lot of us found out we’re in the same boat,” Boston Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette said. “Things were starting to move beyond the mating game for everyone today, but it was too late. Usually, you go through the mating dance at the World Series, so we’re all behind.”

The Angels, whose $24.5-million payroll budget in 1995 prevents them from seeking high-priced free agents, have been scrutinizing the free agent market. They would like Steve Ontiveros or Kevin Gross for their rotation. They’d love to be able to afford bullpen stopper Lee Smith. And center fielder Darrin Jackson or first baseman Mickey Tettleton would be welcome additions to their lineup.

But unless they’re able to reduce their payroll by trading away a high-priced player such as Curtis, the Angels’ desire may be nothing more than a delusion.

*

The Angels filed their 40-man roster with the league office Thursday. They added pitchers Erik Bennett, Ken Edenfield and Shad Williams from triple-A Vancouver; pitcher Jeff Schmidt and Bill Simas from Class-A Lake Elsinore; and outfielder Marquis Riley from double-A Midland.

*

The Angels, who had a deal worked out in July for Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Andy Van Slyke, say they’re no longer interested in acquiring him as a free agent.