No Teixeira? What Now?

Okay, so the Angels aren't going to re-sign Mark Teixeira.  Or are they?  Last week, the Boston Red Sox claimed they were no longer going to "be a factor" in the saga that has become the Teixeira free agency.  Red Sox owner John Henry sent out an email stating, "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him," Henry told AP. "After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."  Apparently this was his way of calling Scott Boras' bluff because if you're still reading about what's going on, the Red Sox are still in the running to land Teix.  Yesterday, according to team vice president of communications Tim Mead, the Angels dropped out of the pursuit for the free agent first baseman when they pulled their rumored 8-year offer off the table.  I think there are two possible scenarios going on here:

1. This is the Angels' way of calling Boras' bluff.  The Angels feel they've made a good offer to Teixeira and with the Red Sox claiming they're done dealing, this will put the pressure back on Teix to make up his mind.  The only remaining offers out there are from the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles - two teams not likely to field winning teams for a few years.  If the Angels had submitted the best offer, and Boston was no longer a factor, this would force Boras to come back to the Angels and look for them to reconsider if Teixeira truly wanted to play for a winner instead of just wanting to be on an east coast team.  I don't think this is what's happening, but it's possible.  But, here's what I think is going on...
2. The Angels are truly done dealing with Boras and are no longer trying to re-sign Teixeira.  Arte Moreno is probably the best owner in baseball, and he has assembled an excellent front office staff headed by GM Tony Reagins.  The team knows what they're doing and have a plan - or I should say "plans".  If they can't re-sign Teix, they know what their next step is and they figure it's now time to move on.  Boras counts on one team, or I should say team's owner to be stupid.  Just like Rangers' owner Tom Hicks, who in 2000, signed Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year/$252M contract.  Arte Moreno wasn't going to be that stupid owner who ends up bidding against himself, getting stuck with an over-priced player who would impact future financial dealings.  Don't get me wrong, I think Teixeira was an important piece for next season's success, but it gets to a point where the financial terms get out of hand or time becomes a factor when moving on to other options.  It became apparent to the Angels that Teixeira wasn't going to return to Anaheim and they didn't want to get shutout in possible other free agents or trades.  This whole situation has been holding up free agent signings as teams and players wait to see where Teixeira lands and which teams/players will become plan B options.  Arte Moreno and his team aren't going to be used by Boras to drive up the price for other teams, and figure, if you don't want to play for us, we don't want you.

So, what do the Angels do now? 

• Manny Ramirez.  I don't think so, not after the Angels re-signed OF Juan Rivera to a 3-year/$12.75 million deal last week.  Rivera obviously isn't the hitter Manny is, but he's costing the Angels about $20M less per year over the same years Ramirez was rumored to be asking for.  Plus, Ramirez is another Scott Boras client.  While I don't think the Angels are in the same situation the Atlanta Braves are with Rafael Furcal's agents and will not deal with Boras, it now looks like Boras is positioning the Ramirez negotiations to pit two teams against each other.  I doubt the Angels will be one of those teams.
• Adam Dunn.  I've been hoping the Angels would sign Dunn ever since the Diamondbacks didn't offer him arbitration allowing whichever team he signs with to keep their first-round pick.  Although Dunn is a below average defensive first baseman, his ability to play that position would fit the Angels' needs better than Manny.  Dunn would join the OF/DH/1B rotation with Kendry Morales and Vladimir Guerrero.  I've read that Dunn would prefer to play in Chicago for the Cubs, but I haven't heard if the feeling is mutual.
• Brian Fuentes.  The free agent closer has mentioned his preference is to play in Anaheim, but do the Angels need to spend approximately $10M/year on a closer?  If the free agent prices continue to fall, Fuentes could become an option, but a $30M/3-year deal doesn't make sense.  ESPN's Buster Olney thinks the price for Fuentes could drop to $15M - $18M over three years.  If that happens, the Angels should be in play to sign him.
• Bobby Abreu.  I would have never guessed I write this, but Abreu might be a decent option.  As contract prices fall, some players get more attractive and Abreu is one of those players.  A $30M/2-year contract didn't make sense, but a deal at half the price could be a bargain.
• Prince Fielder.  Trading for Fielder might not be realistic as it's uncertain the Brewers are truly looking to deal the big first baseman.  If they are, they'd require pitching in return.
• Joey Votto.  It's funny how internet trade rumors get started.  I read this in Peter Gammons posting that there's a possible deal involving the Red-White Sox-Angels where the Angels would send Chone Figgins to Chicago, Cinncinatti would receive Jermaine Dye and send Votto to Anaheim.  I don't know if Gammons has some information that this is a deal being discussed or if it's just something he came up with to fill column space, but it'd take more than just Figgiins to land Votto.
• No one.  This is always a teams' option in dealing with trades or free agents.  If the Angels stand pat with the team they have they would still be the pre-season favorites to win the West.  Once the season starts and players become available via trade, the Angels could then make a move to improve their roster once teams fall out of contention.

Whatever happens, I have faith in the Angels' ownership that they know what they're doing and they have a plan.