"I was surprised when it happened and wasn't surprised. I had a good season, so picking up the option -- I thought I had earned it. On the flip side, I had been reading the papers, and writers are sometimes right."
Although Anderson's option called for $14 million, the Angels bought him out for $3 million, so in essence the Angels elected not to bring him back for $11 million.
The Angels have not been in touch with Anderson since Reagins personally delivered the news he was off their roster, and have given him no indication whether they will make an attempt to negotiate a new deal.
"Based on what I'm reading in the newspapers, they are trying to sign Mark Teixeira and I would imagine a lot of their plans depend on whether they do that or not. I'm definitely not high on their list and I respect that. They don't owe me anything.
"Teixeira's a good player and I've seen a lot of people come and go in my time. Arte Moreno has brought in a lot of good players, and the organization has to keep moving on so it doesn't get too old."
Anderson's first choice remains to play for the Angels, and if they are also interested, he will represent himself in contract talks. If he remains free next week when teams will be allowed to start signing free agents, he will hire an agent to shop his skills.
"I like familiar. I was talking to Torii [Hunter] and he was telling me what it's like to be the new guy, playing in a new system and in a new city. I've never had to deal with that, but it's something I'm going to have to start dealing with whether I like it or not.
"But if I do go on to play elsewhere, I want to thank the fans here. I'm so thankful for the 14 years I had here, and would like to get that message to them."
It'd be nice to put that thank you message on hold for a few more years, but business, the performance on the field, as Kent always maintained, is more important than anything that takes place off it. His way of saying nice guys finish last, I guess.
So how come he left looking like such a loser?
THE CLIPPERS will celebrate the contributions made by their longtime team doctor, Dr. Tony Daly, who recently passed away, before Friday's game with the Rockets. It's not clear if they will go so far as to win a game, but they will also dedicate the training and conditioning wing of their new practice facility in his honor.
SO IT doesn't sound as if the Dodgers are going to bring back Rafael Furcal or Derek Lowe, and now they've declined the option on Brad Penny.
The Dodgers should have plenty of money now to sign Manny Ramirez. If not, then they should have plenty of money for Ned Colletti to start signing players.
Put that way, Ramirez is extra-double appealing, isn't he?
THE NEXT time you think you're having a bad go of it, look on the bright side. You are not Ryan Leaf.
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t.j.simers@latimes.com
