Mets Trying to Obtain Edmonds

The New York Mets have had talks with the Angels about a potential deal for center fielder Jim Edmonds, but unless the Mets sweeten their offer it’s doubtful a trade will be consummated.

The Mets are believed to have offered pitcher Dave Mlicki and either center fielder Brian McRae or second baseman Carlos Baerga, but the Angels feel that if they’re going to trade Edmonds--as has been rumored for years--they need to get a top-notch pitcher in return.

Mlicki has struggled so much this season--the right-hander is 1-3 with a 5.82 earned-run average--that the Mets are considering demoting him from the rotation to the bullpen. It’s doubtful the Mets would part with right-hander Bobby Jones (4-3, 3.39 ERA) or left-hander Al Leiter (National League-leading 1.49 ERA).

“If you’re going to trade a guy like Edmonds,” Manager Terry Collins said, “you’ve got to get the better of the deal.”

There was a report out of New York that the Mets had offered Mlicki, left fielder Bernard Gilkey and catcher Albert Castillo for Edmonds, “but that was just a rumor,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said.

Edmonds, the subject of trade rumors ever since the Angels drafted Darin Erstad in 1995, seemed a little perturbed at the recent speculation.

“They tell us to handle business on our own time, I wish they’d do the same,” Edmonds said, not pointing his finger at either front office. “These things get brought up a lot, and they can be a distraction.

“I’ve gotten used to the idea that I could be traded. It’s hard to believe something like that could happen to someone who has spent 10 years with the organization, but I’ve seen three of my friends [J.T. Snow, Damion Easley and Eduardo Perez] traded in the last few years, so anything can happen.”

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A shoulder injury will prevent Todd Greene from catching again this season, and Bavasi said there’s only a “50-50 chance” Greene will be able to catch again.

Greene, whose minor league rehabilitation assignment ends Tuesday, will begin taking grounders at first base and fly balls in left field, the position he played in college.

“Hopefully, between [those positions] and designated hitter, he can have the career he’s hoping for,” Bavasi said. “This may delay his progress a bit, but his career was buoyed by his bat anyway. If he can find a position, he will have a good, long career.”

Greene underwent surgery for a slight shoulder tear last October but suffered setbacks in two comeback attempts, during spring training and last week at triple-A Vancouver. A loose shoulder capsule is susceptible to soreness and inflammation, and doctors told Greene he’ll risk further injury by catching.

“He could catch one night, and then he might not be able to catch for 10 days,” Collins said. “His arm is not in good enough shape to catch. It’s a big blow, but he could be a decent outfielder, and his options may change over the winter.”

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The Angels will recall Jarrod Washburn from Vancouver on Monday night, and the left-hander will start Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals. Utility infielder Frank Bolick probably will be sent back to Vancouver so Collins can carry 12 pitchers.

Because of several rainouts in Vancouver this week, the Angels had Washburn, who was 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA for Vancouver, start for double-A Midland on Thursday night. He gave up six earned runs on 13 hits in an 8-5 loss to San Antonio.

“We felt this was the best option,” Collins said. “We still have Jason [Dickson] to back up Jack [McDowell, who has had elbow problems] in case Jack is cut short Sunday. We didn’t want a spot starter. We wanted somebody who was ready to go nine innings, and Jarrod is.”

ON DECK

ANGELS’ KEN HILL (7-3, 4.32 ERA)

vs.

TWINS’ BRAD RADKE (6-3, 2.99 ERA)

Metrodome, Minneapolis, 5 p.m. PDT

TV--Channel 9. Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090).

* Update--After juggling his batting order all season, Collins went to a set lineup a week and a half ago, leading off with Erstad, Edmonds and Tim Salmon. But Collins decided Friday to move Dave Hollins, the team’s best base runner, from the No. 5 spot, behind Salmon and Cecil Fielder, to the No. 2 spot, in front of the team’s two slowest runners. “Hollins’ value to the team is scoring runs, and when he’s down in the order, he doesn’t score as much,” Collins said. “I didn’t like him hitting behind [Salmon and Fielder]. I think it took some of his aggressiveness on the base paths away.”