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Angels manager, GM to dine with C.J. Wilson Monday night

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The Angels’ pursuit of free-agent pitcher C.J. Wilson will continue Monday night when Manager Mike Scioscia and General Manager Jerry Dipoto have dinner with the veteran left-hander in Los Angeles. The meeting was confirmed by a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly about it because of the sensitive nature of talks.

It is not known whether Arte Moreno would be at the meeting, but the Angels owner has already established a relationship with the Texas Rangers star from bargaining sessions for baseball’s new labor agreement, which will be announced Tuesday. Moreno served on the owners’ committee, and Wilson was on the players’ committee.

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Dipoto and Bob Garber, Wilson’s agent, had a three-hour dinner last Monday night during the GM meetings in Milwaukee.

The Angels have three strong starters in Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, but if they land Wilson, who went 16-7 with a 2.94 earned-run average to help the Rangers reach the World Series last season, they would not only subtract the staff ace from their division rivals, they would rival Philadelphia for the best rotation in baseball.

Or, they could add Wilson and use Santana, who threw a no-hitter last season, in a trade to acquire an impact bat, late-inning relief help or both.

As many as 13 teams, including the New York Yankees and the Rangers, are believed to be interested in Wilson, who pitched at Fountain Valley High, Santa Ana College and Loyola Marymount, but the 31-year-old is narrowing the field this week.

Another GM is scheduled to meet with Wilson in Los Angeles this weekend, and the pitcher will visit two or three teams on the East Coast next week, after which teams are expected to make formal offers.

The Angels are also believed to be interested in free-agent starters Mark Buehrle, Roy Oswalt and Hiroki Kuroda. Among the free-agent relievers they are believed to be interested in are Francisco Cordero, Ryan Madson, Heath Bell, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel and Matt Capps.

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The Angels also sent international scouting director Marc Russo to the Dominican Republic last week to evaluate Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are hot after the 26-year-old star. There were 60-70 scouts at Cespedes’ workout.

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Dodgers not likely to add big bat during off-season

Kirk Gibson, Joe Maddon win manager of the year awards

--Mike DiGiovanna

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