Have Arm, Might Travel

The closest Jarrod Washburn has come to negotiations for a contract extension this season was this recent exchange between the Angel left-hander and General Manager Bill Stoneman: “Bill said ‘Hello’ to me,” Washburn said.

That’s about as far as talks have progressed. The Angels have made it clear they will wait until after the season to decide whether to offer a contract to Washburn, who will be a free agent.

But with every superb start by rookie right-hander Ervin Santana, who is 7-5 with a 4.41 earned-run average, and with left-hander Joe Saunders’ outstanding spot start against Toronto on Aug. 16, it’s becoming more clear to Washburn that he has little chance of remaining with the Angels beyond 2005.

Asked whether he saw the writing on the wall, Washburn, 30, said, “Who wouldn’t? The young guys coming up, doing what they’ve done, it makes their decision easier or harder, depending on how you look at it.”

Easier if finances drive the decision -- Washburn, who makes $6.5 million, could command a multiyear deal at about $8 million a year, whereas Santana and Saunders wouldn’t make more than $400,000 -- harder if performance drives the decision -- Washburn ranks sixth in the American League with a 3.29 ERA, and his record would be far better than 7-7 with more run support.

“No question, I’ve produced good enough to earn a contract,” said Washburn, who has 18 quality starts, going six innings or more and giving up three earned runs or fewer, in 24 games. “The wins aren’t there, but that’s something you can’t always control.”

Washburn’s ERA is better than that of staff ace Bartolo Colon, who is 17-6 with a 3.34 ERA after Wednesday’s win over the Orioles.

“And he has 10 more wins,” Washburn said. “That’s an example of how goofy this game is.”

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When San Francisco managing general partner Peter Magowan told the Sacramento Bee on Tuesday he would “explore” the possibility of trading Barry Bonds if the 41-year-old slugger asked to conclude his career as an AL designated hitter, it raised an interesting possibility in Anaheim: Vladimir Guerrero and Bonds in the same lineup?

“The rest of us would have to remember to hit because we might get caught up in watching the show,” second baseman Adam Kennedy said. “There’d be an awful lot of guys on base, that’s for sure. The guy hitting behind those two would have 300 RBI opportunities in one season.”

Bonds, whose pursuit of Hank Aaron’s home record is on hold while he recovers from knee surgeries, is guaranteed $18 million in 2006, the final year of his contract. He has stated his AL team of choice would be the Angels because they are close to his Beverly Hills home.

“If [Bonds] shows he’s healthy, Arte [Moreno, Angel owner] would be the kind of guy who could make that move,” Washburn said. “But he has to show his knee is sound. You pay a guy $18 million, you want him in there the majority of the time.”

Angel bench coach Joe Maddon, with the organization for 28 years, was asked if he could imagine a middle-of-the-order trio of Bonds, Guerrero and Garret Anderson.

“That’d be kind of sick,” Maddon said. “It’s a nice fantasy thought.”

Added Washburn: “It would be a good reason to go to the National League.”