On to Plan C for Angels in the outfield
Before Tony Reagins left the winter meetings in Las Vegas on Thursday, the Angels general manager was asked if he had missed out on any trade or free-agent opportunities while awaiting word on whether slugger Mark Teixeira would return to the team.
"Not at this point," he said.
That changed this morning when veteran left fielder Raul Ibanez, the Angels' top target if Teixeira isn't re-signed, reportedly agreed to a three-year, $30-million deal with the World Series-champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Ibanez is 36 but has shown no signs of slowing, batting .293 with 23 homers and 110 runs batted in last season for the Seattle Mariners in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field and averaging 26 homers and 113 RBIs over the past three seasons.
The Angels pursued Ibanez aggressively at the winter meetings, and he was considered the team's "Plan B" if Teixeira signs elsewhere. Now, the Angels will probably focus more on outfielders Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, Juan Rivera and Pat Burrell.
--Mike DiGiovanna
Photo: Raul Ibanez. Credit: Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images
