As trade deadline approaches, there’s mystery about Angels GM Billy Eppler’s plans

In September 2014, A.J. Hinch was between jobs. Now the Houston Astros’ manager, he had resigned from the San Diego Padres’ front office the month before, and he traveled to New York on his own to watch one of Derek Jeter’s last games at Yankee Stadium.

There, he ran into his acquaintance Billy Eppler, who had been considered a favorite to fill the Padres’ vacant general manager position that summer. San Diego hired A.J. Preller instead, and Eppler remained in his post as Yankees assistant GM.

“Behind the scenes, you expect disappointment,” Hinch said. “Letdown. But the upbeat attitude, the clear thinking he had about not getting that job, the group that he had to reintroduce himself back to — I just appreciated how balanced he was.”

Thirteen months later, the Angels hired Eppler to be their general manager, another job he had once been favored for — in 2011, when Jerry Dipoto became the ultimate choice. Hinch said he has heard nothing since Eppler was hired to indicate that his equilibrium has changed.

“One of the most incredible features of Billy is his balance,” Hinch said. “He’ll never really stray from what his plan is. Now, you’ll never know what his plan is, because of how guarded he can be, but he’s a model of consistency in his approach. I’ve always considered him an ideal leader because he’s not going to be reactive, he’s not going to be pessimistic. He’s going to be thorough, and that’s exactly what I would want in somebody guiding a team through whatever they’re going to be going through.”

And so, perhaps predictably, the Angels are here, three days before Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline, in an obvious seller’s position, but thus far trade-less. Eppler’s traits have translated into an organization whose ideas for the future are unclear.

Have they given up on this season? Is the focus 2017? Is it 2018? What Eppler decides to do before 1 p.m. Monday will help dictate that. Of course, he has almost assuredly had to adjust his plan because of the rash of injuries to the team’s corps of starting pitchers.

Andrew Heaney, Garrett Richards and Nick Tropeano have all suffered significant elbow injuries since April. All three may miss all of next season, which would hamper the team’s chances of contending, particularly with the prospect of a weak free-agent market.

“His demeanor is very consistent, which is probably the thing I can speak to the most,” said Angels closer Huston Street. “I think his job has been made infinitely more difficult, as far as structuring for the future. But as far as the plan is concerned, I think everybody in here is as much wondering as the rest.

“Because there’s a lot to wonder about. There just is.”

Street is a candidate to be traded, as are fellow reliever Joe Smith, third baseman Yunel Escobar and starting pitchers Hector Santiago and Matt Shoemaker. The only one among those who league executives believe is highly likely to be dealt is Smith. The others depend on the offers and, it would seem, on Eppler’s timeline for success.

“Our playbook and game plan, we’re trying to be as thorough as possible with it, and see what opportunities exist out there, in all different directions,” Eppler said.

Short hops

Richards said he will be reevaluated Wednesday to determine the progress of the May stem-cell injection he received within his torn elbow. If the ligament has healed, he said, he’ll resume throwing that day, but Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said he could not envision a scenario in which Richards pitches in the majors this season. If the ligament has not healed, he will likely undergo ligament replacement surgery and miss 2017. … A death in Tropeano’s family has delayed his decision on whether or not to undergo surgery. He has a torn ulnar collateral ligament. … Catcher Geovany Soto said he could be activated from the 15-day disabled list as soon as Sunday, when he becomes eligible, but Scioscia said that is not possible. “He can barely squat now,” Scioscia said. “Let’s get him squatting tomorrow and we can get a read on it.”

pedro.moura@latimes.com

Twitter: @pedromoura