Edmonds Playing It Cool

Jim Edmonds didn’t play much baseball Sunday. He took some batting practice and then Manager Mike Scioscia gave him the rest of the day off. Last seen, Edmonds was headed poolside.

These are contemplative days for Edmonds, who doesn’t know if he’s coming or going, and if he is going, if he’ll be staying in the next place.

By all indications, including recent telephone calls by Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman to general managers of the New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners, among others, an Edmonds trade again is a high priority for the Angels.

Paul Cohen, Edmonds’ agent, and Stoneman agreed last week that Edmonds should be traded or signed by opening day, if possible, if only to allow the season to begin without distraction. Since they discussed only broad parameters of a multiyear contract and are miles apart, a trade seems the club’s most likely course.

And, if the final year of his contract weren’t confounding enough, Edmonds has been blindsided by criticism from former teammates and coaches, charges that one big-league executive said have impacted Edmonds’ value in trade negotiations and will, too, in free agency.

Chuck Finley told reporters in Winter Haven, Fla., “Jimmy’s biggest problem is Jimmy,” and that he had the instincts of Ken Griffey Jr., “but he teases you with it every year.”

Jim Leyritz told New York beat writers that, “[Edmonds] isn’t a Yankee. Talent-wise, he can do anything. But, it’s more his desire than anything.”

When asked by Yankee management for opinions on Edmonds, former Angel manager Terry Collins and former teammates Jason Grimsley and Allen Watson raved about him. Bernie Williams, no less, said he would welcome Edmonds.

Still, the Finley comments, Edmonds said, were, “Disappointing. Very disappointing. To think I went out and busted my butt for him, and that’s what I get back in terms of respect. That’s the thanks I get.”

The Yankees and Angels appear to be the best fit, as the Yankees have a farm system thick with talent and the Angels need plenty. The Yankees would prefer to hold pitching prospect Jake Westbrook, but will deal Alfonso Soriano, who has solid potential at second base and shortstop. Stoneman recently put together an offer of Edmonds and pitcher Mark Petkovsek for a package that included Soriano. The Angels also would like pitcher Ramiro Mendoza.

There is sentiment in the Yankee organization for a straight-up Edmonds-for-Soriano deal, but only if Edmonds could be signed to an extension. Stoneman has not said if he would provide a 72-hour negotiating window, though it would seem to be in his interest.

Edmonds would love to play in New York, but would insist on playing center field. Williams, like Edmonds a Gold Glove center fielder, might be talked into playing left. Yankee officials have not yet approached him. Stoneman and team President Tony Tavares have said they would take the compensatory draft picks rather than settle for what has already been offered for Edmonds. The stance amuses many in baseball, including one executive who estimated it would take “10 first-round picks to be reasonably sure you’d get a player the quality of Edmonds, and even then you wouldn’t know.”

Before visiting the pool, Edmonds sat on a table in the clubhouse, apparently content. He said he would happily play the season in Anaheim. Or not.

“I’d like to get the respect of, ‘Here, this is what we’re going to do, one way or the other,’ ” he said. “But, I think I’m somewhat in control now. If I get traded, I don’t have to sign with anybody.”

In fact, Edmonds insisted, the closer he gets to free agency, the better the likelihood that he’ll choose it over a contract extension.

“In a snapshot in time, is this difficult?” Cohen said. “Yes, it is difficult. But, to the extent that the maximum time this could go on is July 31, the trading deadline, or for six-plus months, and the payoff is over five or six years, to that regard he’s a businessman.”

In between, of course, Edmonds gets to play baseball. He hasn’t lost sight of that.

“Playing the game is awesome, if people let you go out there and play, if they leave you alone,” he said. “It’s so much fun on the field, I can’t describe it.”

And, here or there, he’ll enjoy it.

“My so-called free spirit is not a phony thing,” he said. “I’m having a good time. Life’s not passing me by one bit. But, off the field is not that fun right now.”

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Notes

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Angels, 18-9, Sunday in Peoria. Jason Dickson started for the Angels, had three errors committed by teammates and gave up three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings. Tim Salmon and Benji Gil homered for the Angels. Salmon had three hits. . . . Troy Percival is scheduled to throw an inning today against the Chicago Cubs.