Notes from the GM meetings (cont.)

Angels still trying to keep Figgins; will wait on Vladdy

The Angels are trying to keep free agent and leadoff man extraordinaire Chone Figgins in the fold. They've been talking to him about a contract for two months, and Angels GM Tony Reagins said he's "hopeful'' that something can get done. Meanwhile, White Sox GM Ken Williams said Figgins is out of their price range.

Reagins said he doesn't expect to make a quick deal with free agent Vladimir Guerrero, but doesn't rule out one later. That possibility might depend on Guerrero not getting what he wants elsewhere first, then coming back to the Angels later.

Around the majors

• Andy Pettitte has indicated to teammates that he is leaning toward returning to the Yankees for one more year. If they need it for further convincing, one of the Yankees' sales points will be that 10-15 more wins will aid his Hall of Fame candidacy.

• The Phillies are expected to try to lock up Cliff Lee, though with a year to go before free agency, they'll be looking at something less than nine figures.

• While the Phillies declined the option on defensively adept third baseman Pedro Feliz for $5.5 million, they're interested in bringing him back at a slightly lower figure.

• The Red Sox will still consider Alex Gonzalez after declining his $6 million option and also look at free agent Marco Scutaro for shortstop. They appear to have no interest in bringing back Orlando Cabrera.

• The Mets have some interest in free-agent catcher Bengie Molina, but apparently not in Yorvit Torrealba, who rejected a $4.5 million, two-year offer from the Rockies after they declined his $4 million option. Torrealba was the player the Mets agreed to sign for $14.4 million over three years two winters ago before they pulled the offer, saying that he had failed a physical. A grievance was filed, and that case is still pending. A happy ending would have the Mets giving Torrealba that deal, but that apparently isn't happening.

• Most people expect Jason Varitek to exercise his $3 million option to return to Boston as a backup after they declined the $5 million club option to keep him.

• Garrett Atkins' name is coming up in trade talks. He is one of several players who is expected to be non-tendered, considering that he would probably duplicate his $7 million salary in arbitration.

• Mike Jacobs is another player coming up in trade talks, as he is another non-tender candidate.

• Orlando Hudson will leave the Dodgers as a free agent (the Mets and Nationals are seen as two logical landing spots), as he was displaced by Ronnie Belliard for the playoffs. Belliard could return to play second base, with Blake DeWitt the Dodgers' other second base candidate.

• Good for the Twins to run their payroll into the high $80 millions by exercising the $10 million option on Michael Cuddyer and trading for J.J. Hardy. They made the playoffs and are moving into a new stadium. Their spending shows that they may be moving into a new era, as well

• Mark Cuban suggested that he might be interested in buying the Dodgers, who may have an ownership dilemma due to the divorcing McCourts, according to the Los Angeles Times. (Cuban later denied the story.) But Cuban never followed through on his alleged interest in the Cubs, and it is believed that any bid by him would not be looked upon favorably by MLB honchos.