Stoneman’s Anticipation Pays Off

When Bill Stoneman assumed his job as Angel general manager, he vowed to resolve the long-standing outfield logjam. He didn’t know much about Garret Anderson or Jim Edmonds, but Stoneman knew both were approaching free agency. So he solicited opinions within the organization about which player to keep.

The Angels traded Edmonds, the one with the power and the spectacular defensive skills, to the St. Louis Cardinals. They kept Anderson, the one who quietly hit line drives, day in and day out. When Edmonds set career highs by hitting 42 home runs and driving in 108 runs last year, in his debut season in St. Louis, the decision did not sit well with Angel fans.

But Anderson also set career highs last season, with 35 home runs and 117 RBIs. This year, he is having a better season than Edmonds, at roughly half the price.

Edmonds, signed by the Cardinals to a six-year, $57-million contract extension, is hitting .274, with 16 homers and 60 RBIs. Anderson, signed by the Angels to a four-year, $20-million extension, is hitting .278, with 22 homers and 91 RBIs.

In Sunday’s 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, he earned a standing ovation from the fans down the left-field line, during a game in which he homered twice, singled twice, drove in four runs, stole a base and made a strong throw that Manager Mike Scioscia called “the biggest play of the game.”

In less than two years since the Edmonds trade, Anderson has hit more home runs than he did in the previous four. Stoneman saluted the advisors familiar with Anderson, including coach Joe Maddon and special assistant Gary Sutherland, for suggesting the Angels had yet to see the best from Anderson, who was 27 at the time.

“We had people who really thought Garret had not reached his full potential and would become a better player,” Stoneman said. “That’s what our anticipation was, that he’d reach the point we’re seeing now.

“It’s worked out well. I’d be glad if all our decisions worked out this well.”

While the decision to trade Edmonds may have worked out for the Angels, the decision to accept pitcher Kent Bottenfield and second baseman Adam Kennedy in return still is debatable. Bottenfield washed out, and Kennedy is hitting .293 but seldom starts against left-handers.

“Jim obviously had a great year last year. He hasn’t done as well this year, but he’ll be around for awhile,” Stoneman said. “But the deal helped us. . . . We’re really happy with what Adam Kennedy has brought. He filled a big hole that we had. He’s a very good offensive player, and he’s not even scratched the surface of his offensive potential.”

Angel closer Troy Percival throws only two pitches, a fastball and a curve. In a recent Baseball America survey, American League managers rated his fastball second-best in the league, behind that of Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox, and rated his curve third-best, behind those of Mike Mussina of the New York Yankees and Aaron Sele of the Seattle Mariners.

Any radar gun can attest to the robust fastball, consistently clocked from 95-100 mph this season. The survey validates the return of a curve that Percival said is “back to where it was four years ago” thanks to relief from a siege of arm and neck injuries.

“When he’s healthy, he’s able to impart a tremendous amount of spin on the ball,” pitching coach Bud Black said. “When that happens, you get a very sharp break. He’s got a curve that has velocity and sharpness.”

Percival’s curve usually is clocked between 75-78 mph, faster than the typical curve. But it can appear slower, because his fastball is so much faster than average.

ON DECK

Opponent--Detroit Tigers, three games.

Site--Comerica Park.

Tonight--4 p.m. PDT.

TV--None.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Records--Angels 62-56, Tigers 48-68.

Record vs. Tigers--3-3.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

(9-6, 3.76 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’

NATE CORNEJO

(0-0, 18.00 ERA)

Update--The Angels might need to do more in Detroit than tread water in the wild-card race because they face the Indians, Red Sox and Yankees in the subsequent 10 games. Cornejo makes his second major league start; Washburn’s loss in his last start was his first since May 8.

Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (8-6, 3.61 ERA) vs. Steve Sparks (8-7, 4.34 ERA).

Thursday, 10 a.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (9-8, 4.74 ERA) vs. Jeff Weaver (10-11, 3.86 ERA).