BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Erstad Talks Remain Stalled

Jeff Moorad, advisor for No. 1 pick Darin Erstad, said negotiations between he and the Angels aimed at signing the Nebraska outfielder are showing “no signs of life.”

Moorad is seeking a signing bonus in excess of $1.55 million, which is what Paul Wilson, the top pick in 1994, received from the New York Mets, but the two sides are believed to be about $500,000 apart on an Erstad deal. There have been no discussions between Moorad and the Angels for the past week.

“My optimistic feelings of a quick resolution have been replaced by the inevitable feeling that the Angels have to see more signings before they move forward,” Moorad said.

Only three of the top 14 picks have signed, but one of them is No. 2 pick Ben Davis, a high school catcher from Pennsylvania who received $1.3 million from the San Diego Padres. That’s $100,000 more than Ben Grieve, the No. 2 pick in 1994, received from Oakland.

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No Angel infielder was among the top eight vote-getters at his position in all-star voting, and the only Angel mentioned in a major league baseball release was Tim Salmon, who rated 14th among outfielders.

Designated hitter Chili Davis, who said he would decline an all-star invitation, is not on the ballot.

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The noise coming from a room next to the Angel clubhouse was from pitchers Mark Langston (guitar) and Mike Bielecki (drums), who staged a little jam session in hopes of getting a team band together. . . . Tim Mead, assistant general manager, said there is no truth to rumors that the Angels are interested in trading for Chicago White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura. . . . USC pitcher Brian Cooper, the Angels’ fourth-round pick in the June 1 draft; and Anaheim Katella High pitcher Jason Stockstill, their ninth-round pick, have signed.