LAS VEGAS — Tony Reagins checked out of the Bellagio without a deal for slugger Mark Teixeira, without a starter to fill out the rotation or a clear-cut closer, and without three triple-A pitchers who were plucked from the team's farm system in Thursday's Rule 5 draft.
But the Angels' general manager left baseball's winter meetings feeling as confident about his chances of re-signing Teixeira as when he came, and with an attractive rotation candidate: San Diego ace Jake Peavy.
A potential three-way deal that would have sent Peavy to the Chicago Cubs collapsed Thursday morning, with the Cubs telling Padres GM Kevin Towers they were "moving on."
The Angels reiterated their interest in Peavy during the meetings, and next week they are expected to rekindle trade talks for the right-hander that began in November.
Peavy, who has four years and $63 million left on his contract and a full no-trade clause, has "a strong preference to remain in the National League," agent Barry Axelrod said.
"Jake is comfortable there. He's been successful there. And he's a good hitter."
But Towers doesn't appear to have many NL options. He could try to revive talks with Atlanta that broke down several weeks ago, but the Braves would be interested only if they lose out on free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett.
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 shortstops Erick Aybar and Brandon Wood, pitchers Nick Adenhart and Kevin Jepsen, and center fielder Reggie Willits, that would interest Towers.
Would Peavy be open to playing in Anaheim?
"We'd at least listen," Axelrod said. "I don't know where Jake's at. This has been a fairly fatiguing exercise."
Any Angels deal for Peavy, the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner, would hinge on whether the Angels can sign Teixeira, who will probably command a deal in the eight-year, $160-million range.
If Teixeira returns, the Angels wouldn't pursue Peavy, who 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 don't re-sign Teixeira, they would have the financial resources to pursue Peavy, 27, a two-time All-Star who has an 86-62 career record and 3.25 earned run average.
