Mark Trumbo may be the most valuable trade chip the Angels have to play in their pursuit of starting pitching, but heading into next week's winter meetings in Orlando, Fla., that chip remains firmly in General Manager Jerry Dipoto's pocket, where it will probably stay.
"I wouldn't even say we're willing to trade Mark," Dipoto said, shooting down speculation the Angels were looking to deal their young slugger. "We haven't been out there shopping Trumbo. At the end of the day, our intention is to keep our team together and solve our starting pitching issues as best we can."
The Angels want to add two starters to a rotation headed by Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Garrett Richards, and they have about $15 million under the $189-million luxury-tax threshold to spend.
They will most likely pursue a middle-of-the-rotation starter through free agency, with Bronson Arroyo, Matt Garza, Chris Capuano, Scott Feldman and A.J. Burnett among their possible targets.
They also hope to acquire a young, cost-controlled pitcher with upside, one who recently broke into — or is on the cusp of — the big leagues, and that could cost them a player such as second baseman Howie Kendrick. Kendrick could also be used in a package for a veteran starter.
They are not expected to pursue the three free-agent starters who would cost them a draft pick — Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez or Hiroki Kuroda.
"We have a pretty short shopping list heading into winter meetings," Dipoto said. "We're looking for two starting pitchers. Whether they come from free agency or trades remains to be seen.
"But we're going to remain patient and fill our needs with guys we think fit best. There is no expectation anything has to be done in Orlando. We could be in the same position we're in now in January."
The versatile Trumbo, who is projected to make $4.7 million in arbitration next season, is a streaky hitter with a low career average (.250) and on-base percentage (.299), but he averaged 31 home runs and 94 runs batted in over his first three seasons and provides insurance at first base in case Albert Pujols is injured.
"You never know what can happen when you start talking," Dipoto said, acknowledging there is always a chance a deal for Trumbo could materialize, "but Mark is valuable to us for the same reason other teams value him."
mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
Twitter: @MikeDiGiovanna
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