Peavy-to-Cubs deal is off; Angels on deck?

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LAS VEGAS--Don’t count the Angels completely out on Jake Peavy. A proposed three-team deal that would have sent the San Diego ace to the Chicago Cubs collapsed today, with the Cubs telling Padres General Manager Kevin Towers they ‘are moving on,’ and Towers may have nowhere else to turn but the Angels.

Peavy, who has four years and $63 million remaining on his contract and a full no-trade clause, has made it clear he would only approve a deal to a handful of National League clubs, and the Padres worked throughout the winter meetings on a three-way trade with the Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.

But the Angels, who expressed considerable interest in Peavy in November, have remained in contact with Towers about him at the winter meetings, and they remain interested in a possible deal.

The Angels, of course, are in the American League, but they believe they can sell Peavy on the merits of playing for a perennial contender near his North San Diego County home. They also have the kind of young talent, such as shortstop Erick Aybar, pitchers Jered Weaver or Nick Adenhart, and center fielder Reggie Willits, that would interest Towers.

But any deal for Peavy, the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner and a two-time All-Star, would probably hinge on whether the Angels can retain free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, who will probably command a deal in the eight-year, $160-million range.

If Teixeira returns, the chances of acquiring Peavy would diminish because the right-hander is owed $11 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. His deal includes a 2013 option for $22 million with a $4-million buyout.

But if the Angels, who are actively pursuing a starting pitcher, don’t re-sign Teixeira, they would have the financial resources to acquire Peavy.

--Mike DiGiovanna