CHICAGO, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Anaheim Angels outfielder Darin Erstad, one year removed from a Most Valuable Player-caliber season, reportedly was traded Wednesday to the Chicago White Sox.
A radio report in Chicago said Anaheim general manager Bill Stoneman and White Sox general manager Ken Williams have agreed on a deal that would send outfielder Ken Singleton, righthanded starter Jon Garland and two minor leaguers to the Angels in exchange for Erstad.
The deal is apparently contingent upon the approval of Anaheim president Tony Tavares. The White Sox initially asked for a window of opportunity to negotiate a long-term deal with Erstad, but have relented and said they would make the trade regardless.
Erstad appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough season in 2000 when he hit .355 with 25 homers, 100 RBI and 121 runs scored. But he slumped to .258 with just nine homers and 63 RBI last season.
Erstad earned $3.45 million last season and could easily double that through arbitration in February.
Singleton, who batted .298 with seven homers, 45 RBI and 12 stolen bases last season, should play center field between Garret Anderson and Tim Salmon.
Garland, 22, is one of the most highly touted pitching prospects in baseball. He was 6-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 35 appearances, 16 starts, in 2001. He joins Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn and Scott Schoeneweis in one of the game's better young rotations.
