From Wednesday’s LA TImes and Mike DiGiovanna :
Carlos Beltran remains the Angels’ primary target in the free-agent market, but they are working on contingency plans if they don’t land the center fielder, who is also being pursued by Houston, the New York Yankees and Mets, Philadelphia, Seattle, Baltimore and the Chicago Cubs.
The Angels have discussed a two-year deal for Steve Finley, 40, the free-agent center fielder who helped the Dodgers win the National League West after being traded from Arizona in July.
Finley, who hit .271 with 36 home runs and 94 runs batted in, has received offers from Arizona and Detroit.
San Francisco, San Diego, Texas and Baltimore also have shown interest in Finley, who made $6.75 million in 2004.
Finley became even more attractive Tuesday night when the Dodgers decided not to offer him arbitration, meaning the team that signs him won’t have to give up a first-round draft pick as compensation.