With Pitching Depth, Stoneman May Stand Pat

Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman has 18 days to buy or sell.

To charge or retreat. All general managers do. Even the rookies.

On a recent afternoon in Anaheim, he smiled as he considered his options.

The non-waiver trading deadline is July 31. At the dawn of the season’s second half, the Angels are two games out of a playoff spot and in need of more consistent starting pitching.

Last week, a continent away, New York Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman confided that if the Yankees won three of four against the Mets in their subway series, he would ask owner George Steinbrenner for the All-Star break off.

The Yankees won three. Cashman traded for Denny Neagle during the break.

You can guess what Steinbrenner’s answer was.

It is that time of year for baseball’s general managers.

“In our case, the one area where we need the most improvement, we’ve got depth in,” Stoneman said. “We can improve from within. I don’t think it’s going to take a trade to improve it. We have the personnel. The ones that are here will do it or, if we don’t see improvement there, we’ve got some reserves knocking at the door.”

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One of those reserves, rookie Seth Etherton, is scheduled to start Saturday against the Dodgers. Scott Schoeneweis is on the disabled list but should come off in about 10 days.

Stoneman raved about right-hander Matt Wise, who is 8-4 with a 3.94 earned-run average for triple-A Edmonton, and right-hander Steve Green, who was recently promoted to Edmonton.

By season’s end, then, the Angels’ starting rotation could be Jarrod Washburn, Brian Cooper, Etherton, Schoeneweis and Wise.

In the meantime, Stoneman said, the best scenario would have Kent Bottenfield, Tim Belcher and Ken Hill--all potential free agents at season’s end--sound and pitching well.

“Just to make us a better ballclub,” he said. “I’m not so sure about market value. I’d like them to produce for us. I don’t worry so much about that other stuff. If people play well, good things happen. If they don’t play well, not much good comes from it.”

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The opportunities for assessment will come quickly for the Angels, who start Hill tonight and Bottenfield on Friday.

Asked if he believed the Angels could win the American League West without bounce-back second halves from Hill, Bottenfield and Belcher, Manager Mike Scioscia said, “Sure. Absolutely. We know what we need from our starting pitching. I think it’s a more likely scenario that the veterans step up and throw like they’re capable. That would be easier.

“We’re going to have some questions answered, obviously. I still believe, still have the optimism I had in spring training, about the potential of this club. I don’t think the fact that we’re not 15 games out in front right now dampens that or changes our approach. We think we have a contending club. We intend to make a run.”