CC Sabathia. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
The Angels reportedly are about to make an offer to superstar free agent pitcher CC Sabathia that will approach the Yankees' $140-million bid of a couple week ago, and if the Angels can steal Sabathia, that may change the entire free-agent landscape.
The Los Angeles Times reported today that the Angels are focusing on Sabathia right now while remaining interested in free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, who's been called their top target all along. The report suggested the Angels may be turning to Sabathia in part because they have come to believe they will have trouble making a quick deal for Teixeira.
There are indications that while Angels owner Arte Moreno is said to love Teixeira, some Angels baseball people also love Sabathia. SI.com reported back on Sept. 12 that the Angels would likely pursue Sabathia.
If the Angels can come close to the Yankees' $140-million, six-year offer, as the Times report suggests they will, they would appear to have a decent chance for Sabathia, who's said to prefer going home to California to pitch if all things are equal. Though, of course, the Yankees have made Sabathia their top target and could counter by raising their bid.
If Sabathia does go to the Angels, the top two players on the free-agent market could both wind up on their home coast. The Angels are saying they remain interested in Teixeira, but some other teams seem to believe Teixeira, a Severna Park, Md. product, may actually prefer to play on the East Coast.
The Red Sox, Nationals, Orioles, Yankees, Giants and Mariners are among teams to have shown interest in Teixeira. If the Yankees lose out on Sabathia, their interest in Teixeira would intensify. For now, they are more focused on Sabathia, who's also drawn interest from the incumbent Brewers, Giants and Dodgers, as well.
The Red Sox are expected to be "aggressive'' for Teixeira, according to one competing club executive, though they don't seem likely to go for a 10-year deal and would likely have to try to trade Mike Lowell in spring training, if he can prove his hip has healed.
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