Angels Still Trying to Trade for Pitching

The Angels, desperately searching for a right-handed starter, are talking about a potential trade with the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Willie Banks in a deal that would include Angel center fielder Chad Curtis.

Cub General Manager Ed Lynch said Monday that he and Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi have had preliminary talks, but a deal probably would be delayed until baseball’s labor strife is resolved.

“Curtis is a guy whose name came up in our discussions,” Lynch said, “but we didn’t talk specifics. We do need a center fielder, and Curtis is someone I inquired about.”

Lynch, according to sources, considers Curtis the second-best center fielder available on the trade market behind Steve Finley of the Houston Astros. Finley is scheduled to earn $4.25 million in 1995, compared to Curtis’ $1.9-million salary.

“We made it clear that we want a strong defensive center fielder,” Lynch said. “But right now, we’re going to have to wait to see who’s going to be a free agent. We don’t want to box ourselves into a situation where four- or five-year guys suddenly become free agents.

“We’re going to wait to see what system we’re under.”

The Angels, according to sources, are willing to quickly make a deal. They project that Banks, 8-12 with a 5.40 earned-run average last season, could be the No. 3 starter in their rotation and might be their only right-hander.

A deal also would free the Angels of the $3.9 million they owe Curtis for the next two seasons. The Angels would like to replace Curtis with free-agent center fielder Darrin Jackson, according to a club source.