Stoneman Might Look to Expos to Solve Angels’ Pitching Woes

New Angel Manager Bill Stoneman may look to the organization he knows best--the Montreal Expos, his former team--for pitching help at the winter meetings, which began Friday in Anaheim.

Stoneman is expected to approach the Expos about a deal that would send outfielder Garret Anderson to Montreal for one of the team’s young starting pitchers, his most likely targets being Mike Thurman, Jeremy Powell and Tony Armas Jr.

An Expo source said a deal for Anderson would hinge on Montreal trading outfielder Rondell White, but added that Anderson, who will make $3.25 million in 2000, would fit into the Expos’ budget.

Thurman is a 25-year-old right-hander who went 7-11 with a 4.05 earned-run average in 27 starts in 1999, his first full season in the big leagues. Powell, a 23-year-old, 6-foot-6, 225-pound right-hander, went 4-8 with a 4.73 ERA in 17 starts last season. Armas, the 21-year-old son of former outfielder Tony Armas, started one game for Montreal last season but is expected to contend for a rotation spot in 2000.

Stoneman also is expected to approach the Devil Rays today about an Anderson-for-Rolando Arrojo trade.

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With first baseman Jon Olerud leaving the Mets to sign a three-year, $20-million deal with the Mariners and Carlos Delgado, who was targeted by the Mets, signing a three-year, $36-million extension with the Blue Jays on Friday, the Mets are in the market for a first baseman.

Stoneman said he has heard rumblings the Mets will approach him about Mo Vaughn, but the chances of Vaughn being dealt before he begins the second year of a six-year, $80-million contract seem slim.

“I’ve told you we’re offering outfielders,” Stoneman said. “We are not offering Mo Vaughn.”

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Darrell Miller, a former Angel catcher who has spent the last six years as an Angel scout, was named the team’s director of player development Friday. Miller, who replaces Jeff Parker, will oversee the Angels’ farm system, which was ranked 30th out of 30 teams by Baseball America. ... Stoneman has been told by team doctors that pitcher Jason Dickson, who missed the 1999 season because of shoulder surgery, “should be ready to go full bore from Day 1 of spring training. He definitely hasn’t been forgotten by us.”