ANGELS UPDATE: EDMONDS MAY STAY WITH ANGELS, AFTER ALL.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Jim Edmonds was voted by the fans as the Angels franchise's all-time center fielder, and now it seems he might actually get to wear the team's uniform this season.

Amid rampant speculation that he would be traded to the New York Yankees, Edmonds was approached Saturday morning by Angels general manager Bill Stoneman, who wanted to clear the air and let Edmonds know where he stood.

``He's been hearing things from everybody other than me,'' Stoneman said. ``I thought it was important to talk to him so he could get it straight from me. Hopefully it was helpful. He said thanks at the end. I could tell he certainly welcomed the opportunity to talk.''

Edmonds has been in Arizona for more than a month, waiting and anticipating, but nothing's happened. The Angels break camp in less than two weeks, and Edmonds now has to be ready for the chance he'll play the season in Anaheim and enter free agency afterward.

``I really never thought I was going to leave. You guys tell me that,'' Edmonds said to reporters. ``I really didn't have a thought either way. I come here and play every day until something happens. I haven't tried getting an apartment in New York or tried selling my house.''

Asked if he would be happy to remain in Anaheim for the 2000 season, Edmonds said: ``I don't have a choice. I'll be happy wherever I play. I'm just going to play the next six years then settle down with my kids.''

Stoneman said he understands all the speculation can be a distraction to a team. But he said he thinks the players and coaching staff have handled it well.

``Remarkably so,'' he said. ``I don't know how distracted some of them have been. I know one in particular has been rumored daily. I didn't realize how distracted he was.''

But making a trade for trade's sake is not what he's about, Stoneman said. Yes, the Angels need pitching. Yes, the have more outfielders than they need. But . . .

``My job is to improve the ballclub, not shuffle people around,'' he said. ``Pitching is very difficult to obtain in trades. If there's something we can do that helps us, we'll do it.''

Meanwhile, Yankees executives have decided to hold off making a trade for Edmonds, at least for now. During a dinner meeting last Thursday, Yankees officials voted they would not give up either pitcher Ramiro Mendoza or infielder Alfonso Soriano for Edmonds. And Stoneman isn't likely to settle for less than a package that includes at least one of them.

The Yankees believe that the longer they wait, the further the price for Edmonds will fall. But Stoneman doesn't buy into that theory.

ANGELS vs. SAN FRANCISCO 

When/where: 12:05 p.m., Scottsdale Stadium

Radio/TV: KLAC-AM (570), XPRS-AM (1090)

Today's game: Brian Cooper will start for the Angels against Mark Gardner of San Francisco.

Sunday's result: Angels starter Ken Hill gave up six runs and nine hits in four innings as the White Sox beat the Angels 16-3 at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Jim Edmonds and Troy Glaus homered for Anaheim.

- Joe Haakenson

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Box: Angels vs. San Francisco (see text)