Angels’ Losing Streak Hits 11

The Boston Red Sox are making a strong push for Angel pitcher Chuck Finley, the Cleveland Indians are in the hunt but don’t seem confident they can swing a deal, and the New York Yankees’ interest in the left-hander apparently has cooled.

Finley, meanwhile, indicated Monday there are only two teams he would consider, the Indians and the Yankees.

“I don’t really want to go to a wild-card contender,” Finley said before the Angels dropped their 11th game in a row, 7-0 to Bobby Witt and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday night--before 15,596 at Tropicana Field. “It would have to be a team that’s a lock to make the playoffs.”

That would pretty much rule out the Red Sox, who trail the Yankees by eight games in the American League East and have lost their once-firm grasp on a wild-card spot.

Finley expressed no interest in going to the National League and very little in playing for the West Division-leading Texas Rangers. Besides, it’s highly doubtful the Angels would trade Finley to their division rival.

So, that leaves the Yankees, who lead the American League East by seven games and the Indians, who lead the Central by 11, right?

“Right,” Finley said. “It’s pretty obvious. There are two teams you could put money on right now to be playing at the end of the season, and that’s the Yankees and the Indians.”

Does Finley have a preference?

“If you could tell me which one would be playing at the very end of the season . . . “

Finley, who can veto any trade because he has 10 years of big league experience, five with the same team, said he had not spoken with General Manager Bill Bavasi but that he expects to in the next few days.

“I guess he’ll try to put the best package together, bring it to me and say, ‘This is what we’ve got,’ ” Finley said.

Bavasi doesn’t appear to have much at the moment, but Saturday’s trading deadline is still four days away.

According to a Cleveland source, the Angels are asking for three big league players, probably power-hitting first baseman-designated hitter Richie Sexson, infielder Enrique Wilson and a pitcher. The Indians consider that price too steep.

The Yankees reportedly offered Andy Pettitte several weeks ago, but the Angels weren’t interested in the arbitration-eligible left-hander who makes $6 million this season and has pitched erratically.

But the combination of a horrendous slump by Finle--he gave up 32 earned runs in 22 innings of five starts from June 24-July 1--and a belief that Finley will re-sign with the Angels as a free agent over the winter apparently has caused the Yankees to back off a bit.

The Indians want Finley because he has a 16-9 record against the Yankees, and injuries have forced Cleveland to use aging and undependable Mark Langston in the rotation.

The Red Sox want Finley because ace Pedro Martinez is on the disabled list, and they fear they’ll drop out of the wild-card race without another solid starting pitcher.

Boston could put together a decent package for Finley, one that could include speedy middle infielder and potential leadoff batter Donnie Sadler, a pitcher such as Korean right-hander Jin Ho Cho and a catching prospect such as power-hitting Steve Lomasney, who is at double A. But it might not matter.

The potential loss of Finley to the Angels is another matter. Though it may not be as devastating as the Red Sox losing Roger Clemens or the Mariners losing Randy Johnso--Finley is a franchise pitcher in name more than degree of dominanc--he has been a franchise pitcher just the same.

“He’s that true veteran presence, by the way he says what needs to be said and the way he goes about the game,” right fielder Tim Salmon said. “At times, he’s been as dominant as any pitcher in the league, and there have been times when he’s struggled. But you never see a change of character with him, and that’s something we all can learn from.”

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina said he would be disappointed if Finley were traded.

“But to be honest, I’d also be excited for Chuck,” he said. “I think he deserves to be on the big stage, in the playoffs and World Series. He deserves a ring on his finger.”