Angels’ Stoneman Is in No Hurry to Deal

No trades, no signings--and no worries, apparently, for Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman. If he cannot trade one of his surplus outfielders for pitching help by the time spring training opens in six weeks, Stoneman said Thursday, so be it.

“We’re not going to strike a deal just to strike a deal,” Stoneman said. “That might excite people who want something to write about. That’s not the type of person I am.

“If we go to spring training with the club the way it is now, then we do. Is that going to happen? I don’t know.”

More than two months into his tenure as general manager, Stoneman has yet to sign a major-league free agent or make a trade to improve a team that finished in last place. “Just wondering,” one national publication read this week, “but is Bill Stoneman alive in Anaheim?”

Stoneman shrugged off the criticism and said he is pursuing trade talks and free-agent discussions. The Oakland Athletics and New York Mets inquired last month about center fielder Jim Edmonds, but the A’s refused to surrender three top prospects and the Mets instead traded rookie pitcher Octavio Dotel to the Houston Astros in a five-player deal for 22-game winner Mike Hampton.

Barring acquisitions, the Angels would have to assemble a starting rotation from two veterans coming off injury-riddled seasons--Ken Hill and Jason Dickson--and youngsters Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn, Brian Cooper, Scott Schoeneweis and Mike Fyhrie, who combined to win eight major league games last season. Tim Belcher, whose six victories are the most of any returning starter, underwent arm surgery in December and is not expected to be ready by opening day.

“We’ve got some young pitchers who are going to get great opportunities. I’m sure they’re delighted,” Stoneman said. “There’s nothing wrong with giving a talented guy a chance to get some experience.”

Stoneman said rookie Trent Durrington, who hit .180 in 43 games with the Angels last season but hit .315 in the Arizona Fall League, would compete for the second base job even if the Angels sign a free-agent infielder. He also said he did not intend to trade all-star closer Troy Percival, whose agent had expressed concern with the direction of the team after the uncontested departure of ace Chuck Finley.

“You need somebody who can give you the expectation he’ll be able to close the game,” Stoneman said. “We have one. It’s Troy Percival.”