Stoneman Not in Rush to Deal

As bargaining positions go, Bill Stoneman could hardly be in a worse one.

The Angel general manager already was trying to trade for bullpen help, half the team’s relievers went on the disabled list within the last 18 days and the Angels blew a 7-1 lead Monday.

So, with the trading deadline 15 days away, you can’t blame opposing general managers for asking Stoneman to give up two or three of his best prospects and pick up a veteran with a fat contract too.

The Angels play 11 consecutive games against Seattle and Oakland, starting Wednesday, and their pennant chances could diminish considerably if they lose too many of those. Perhaps Stoneman ought to pay a steeper price to get help now rather than wait to see if he can drive a better bargain closer to the deadline.

“I don’t know that that’s the key to doing something,” Stoneman said. “If I wanted to pony up one of our big-time players, I could hurry up and get something done.”

Translation: The Angels do not wish to trade their top prospects--first baseman Casey Kotchman, catcher Jeff Mathis and pitchers Chris Bootcheck, Bobby Jenks, John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez. They do not wish to pick up a fat contract. They might eventually yield on one issue or the other, but not yet, and not both.

Stoneman said he is working with roughly 10 to 12 trade proposals, some initiated by the Angels and some by other teams.

He also said he might do nothing, with Al Levine expected to be activated Saturday, closer Troy Percival expected to be activated in two weeks and Rodriguez overmatching triple-A hitters and forcing the Angels to consider promoting him.

“It might be the better answers are within our own organization,” Stoneman said.

*

An examination Monday revealed that reliever Dennis Cook has a torn labrum and partially torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder.

Cook, who is leaning toward retirement after the season, initially told the Angels he would undergo surgery, which would have ended his season. He reconsidered later Monday and said he would try to rehabilitate the shoulder, which is his only chance to pitch again this season.

Percival visited the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks on Monday, where a specialist examined his infected left foot.

The infection appears to be gone, thanks to antibiotics, but the Angels put Percival on the disabled list because doctors were concerned an infection might recur before the abrasion could fully heal.

TODAY

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

(10-2, 3.04 ERA)

vs.

TWINS’

ERIC MILTON

(11-6, 5.14 ERA)

Metrodome, 10 a.m. PDT

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

Update--Washburn has a 10-game winning streak. Catcher Bengie Molina, who has missed the last three games because of a strained left hamstring, is expected to start today. Infielder Benji Gil drew his first walk of the season Monday, in his 73rd plate appearance.