INDIANAPOLIS — According to an MLB club official, the Angels remain the leaders to satisfying the Blue Jays in a deal for Roy Halladay.
The Angels apparently are willing to include shortstop Erick Aybar and pitcher Joel Saunders in the package.
“They have a pretty good chance of getting him, they are the lead dog,” the source said.
HARDBALL AT THE WINTER MEETINGS
The Yankees remain in the hunt because the Blue Jays “love” stud prospect Jesus Montero.
“Tampa Bay is whispering around, but there is money issues, and don’t count out the Red Sox,” the source said. “Also don’t count out the Phillies.”
Brian Cashman didn’t rule out trading Montero, even though he hated to sacrifice prospect Austin Jackson to get Granderson.
“It depends on the player I would be getting,” Cashman said. “I would under the right circumstance.”
Halladay has a blanket no-trade clause and would have to approve a deal. Then there is the matter of a contract extension, since Halladay is eligible for free agency after this season — when he is slated to earn $15.75 million.
Cashman briefly met with the agent for free agent pitcher John Lackey and didn’t give the impression the right-hander fit into the Yankees’ budget or plans.
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Joe Girardi hinted he might switch to No. 28 next year when the Yankees go after their 28th world championship. Girardi wore No. 27 last season.
Since 28 was Curtis Granderson‘s number in Detroit, he was asked how married he was to the number.
“It was my number in college and primarily my big league number throughout my career except for my call up year, that was 26,” Granderson said. “I have played with different numbers in the minor leagues. I was asked what numbers I had growing up. I said, 2 and 8 and they aren’t options either. . . . He has first dibs on it, and if he chooses to take it, I have played with other numbers before.”
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The Yankees plan on being in Houston next week to watch Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman throw a bullpen session. However, even if the Yankees sign the hard-throwing lefty, they aren’t thinking about him being a part of next season’s rotation.
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In Hideki Matsui news, Angels GM Tony Reagins admitted the free-agent DH was a possibility for the AL West champs. But Reagins hardly was making promises.
“He’s definitely an option,” Reagins said. “But there are a lot of other players in that vein.”
Though they have been mentioned as possible landing spots, the White Sox and A’s do not have interest in Matsui.