By Joe Haakenson, AngelsWin.com Contributor -
JULY 1, 2002
OFF DAY - NOTEBOOK
ANAHEIM -- July is here and the Angels are in the thick of a pennant race, and that means Angels general manager Bill Stoneman is on the phone.
Trade talks are heating up and will stay hot until the July 31 trading deadline, but that doesn't mean there will be moves made. The Angels could use bullpen help and maybe another bat, but with an uncertain labor situation, certain trades are less likely.
``It adds an element that normally isn't there,'' Stoneman said. `Any GM that would be giving up a young prospect player who could be a productive major league player in the near future ... there is a value to those players that labor isn't going to get in the way of. If you trade a player like that for a player you're using for the final two months of the season, someone who is going to be a free agent, you could be giving up something of concrete value for in effect, nothing.''
And to those who say a team in contention must make a move for the stretch run, Stoneman scoffs.
``To make moves just to make a move is not something I believe in,'' Stoneman said, adding that he believes the way the team is put together now is good enough to win. ``Yes it is, given that the players play up to their capabilities.''
Stoneman, though, is making and fielding phone calls from opposing GMs, and expects it to continue through the end of the month.
``We've had quite a few discussions lately,'' he said. ``But what's been indicated to me is that clubs, with the exception of Montreal, clubs in general are very reluctant to make young prospects available.''
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The Angels' club record for doubles in a season is 42, held by Doug DeCinces (1982), Johnny Ray ('88) and Jim Edmonds ('98), but this season the Angels have three players on pace to hit more.
Garret Anderson has 28 and is on pace for 57; Tim Salmon has 26 and is on pace for 53; and Brad Fullmer has 21 and is on pace for 43.
