Baseball Trades Roundup

Monday, July 31st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Ron Gant moved to Anaheim, the Chicago Cubs tried to close a deal for Rondell White, and two relievers changed places as several contenders got busy a day before baseball's trading deadline.

The St. Louis Cardinals got left-hander Jason Christiansen from Pittsburgh on Sunday while San Francisco acquired righty Doug Henry from Houston.

Other deals seemed to be in the works as teams approached Monday's 4 p.m. EDT deadline for making trades without waivers.

The Angels hoped to boost their lineup, getting Gant and cash from the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Kent Bottenfield.

``We obviously needed a right-handed bat to help us,'' Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia said. ``He's versatile, he can play the outfield, he can DH, neutralize some left-handed pitching.''

Philadelphia made the move four days after trading ace Curt Schilling to Arizona. Though he officially was a member of the Angels, Gant did not leave the Phillies right away â€” he took the team charter to San Diego on his way to Anaheim.

``I'm still saying `us' instead of `them,''' Gant said.

Gant, 35, led the Phillies with 20 homers. He hit .254 with 38 RBIs.

Bottenfield, sent from St. Louis with Adam Kennedy to Anaheim in the offseason for Jim Edmonds, was 7-8 with a 5.71 ERA.

``I'm not surprised,'' Bottenfield said. ``I knew it was coming, I've known for the last week something was going to happen.''

The Montreal Expos reached agreement to trade White to the Cubs, provided Chicago can sign the outfielder to a multiyear contract extension, The Associated Press learned.

``Yeah, there's something on the table, but if it's not right, I'm not going to sign with the Cubs,'' White said after the Expos lost to Cincinnati 7-4.

White's name has been prominently mentioned in trade talks. The New York Yankees, Seattle, Atlanta and Milwaukee had been interested, but may have backed off because of his history of injuries.

Neither the Cubs nor Expos would comment on whether there was a trade, and White did not know the details. But a source familiar with the deal, speaking on the condition that he not be identified, said the Cubs would be allowed to negotiate with White until 10 a.m. EDT Monday.

It was not known what other players were involved in the deal.

``I've known from the get-go that they were trying to trade me,'' White said. ``Tomorrow, everything will be over with. I might be here, I might not.''

A day after acquiring Mike Timlin from Baltimore, the NL Central-leading Cardinals added another reliever by getting Christiansen from the Pirates for minor league infielder Jack Wilson.

Christiansen was dealt shortly after allowing four of the five batters he faced to reach base in the Pirates' 9-8 loss to San Diego.

While leaving the mound, Christiansen flipped the ball to manager Gene Lamont, prompting a heated exchange in the tunnel leading to the clubhouse.

``I did something you shouldn't do to a manager,'' Christiansen said. ``You should never show up your manager. I did that when I threw the ball in the air. It's tough for me right now. I just got traded and the last thing he and I have to remember about each other is that.''

Christiansen was 2-8 with one save and a 4.97 ERA in 44 games. He also had a seven-game losing streak.

``We've been trying to get Christiansen for a couple of years, and we were finally able to do it,'' Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Henry, who helped San Francisco win the NL West in 1997, was traded by the Astros to the Giants for pitcher Scott Linebrink.

Henry, 36, was 1-3 with a 4.42 ERA in 44 appearances. He also had one save, which came June 18 at San Francisco.

In 1997, Henry worked 75 games as a setup man for San Francisco closer Rod Beck.

``Our familiarity with Doug and his track record makes this a win-win situation for us,'' Giants general manager Brian Sabean said.

On Saturday night, the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox got catcher Charles Johnson and DH Harold Baines from Baltimore for catcher Brook Fordyce and three minor league pitchers.