Beltran Is at Top of Wish List

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.

The Angels, their sights on Beltran, have not made a formal offer to Finley, but his agent, Tom Tanzer, said, “We’ve had some very good conversations with the Angels.

“He’d be a good fit there, he likes the coaching staff, and Southern California appeals to him. He’s not ruling anything out.”

Free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano, who has visited Boston, Detroit, the Yankees, Baltimore and Seattle, will meet with the Angels in Anaheim on Thursday.

The Angels, as well as the Dodgers, also have shown significant interest in Chicago Cub right-hander Matt Clement, who reportedly received a three-year, $18-million offer from Cleveland.

The Angels have pursued Phillie pitcher Eric Milton, but the free-agent left-hander was reportedly on the verge of signing a three-year, $25-million deal with the Yankees.

The Angels also were in negotiations for shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who signed an incentive-laden, one-year, $8-million contract with the Cubs on Tuesday. The Angels could turn their attention to Orlando Cabrera, the free-agent shortstop who helped Boston win the World Series, but General Manager Bill Stoneman has not yet contacted Cabrera’s agent.

As expected, the Angels did not offer salary arbitration to their four remaining free agents, third baseman Troy Glaus, pitcher Aaron Sele, infielder Shane Halter and first baseman Andres Galarraga, and thus will not receive draft-pick compensation for their loss.

Glaus, who hit 182 home runs in six years with the Angels, is pondering a four-year offer from Arizona and has also drawn interest from Seattle and Detroit.

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Angel pitching coach Bud Black underwent reconstructive surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right knee.