Brandon Wood is released by Dominican winter team
ANGELS
Shortstop is sent home by Estrellas after batting .167 in 48 at-bats.
Brandon Wood, the Angels' top prospect and a candidate to start in their infield next season, has been dismissed from his winter club because of poor performance.
Wood hit .167 for Estrellas in the Dominican winter league, with one home run and 16 strikeouts in 48 at-bats. The club sent him home after 13 games.
"You've got to perform pretty much right off the plane," Angels minor league director Abe Flores said.
General Manager Tony Reagins said the dismissal would not extinguish Wood's chances of winning a roster spot in spring training.
"We put weight on the winter-ball season, but we'll monitor how he is in spring training," Reagins said. "He'll get an opportunity to fight for a job, whether it be at shortstop or at third base."
The Angels have incumbents at those positions: Erick Aybar at shortstop and Chone Figgins at third base. Reagins has said that Figgins could be moved to left field or second base, depending on what other moves the Angels might make this winter.
Wood, 23, hit .296 with 31 home runs in 103 games at triple-A Salt Lake last season. He also had three stints with the Angels, hitting .200 with five home runs and 43 strikeouts in 150 at-bats.
This is the second consecutive winter-ball club for which Wood has failed to complete a season. He hit .152 in nine games for Guasave in the Mexican winter league last year, then went home for the funeral of his grandmother. He returned to Mexico, but the club released him rather than reinstate him.
Not yet
The Angels have yet to make an offer to first baseman Mark Teixeira or pitcher CC Sabathia, Reagins said.
Although Teixeira is their top priority, the Angels appear to be waiting for agent Scott Boras to solicit bids from other clubs before presenting their bid, in the hope Teixeira will consider their offer in line with the market. The Angels are expected to present their offer shortly and ask for an answer within a short window.
The Angels are expected to offer Teixeira the first $100-million contract in franchise history. The Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals are among other teams reportedly considering a bid on Teixeira.
Kendry Morales, whom the Angels plan to start at first base if they lose Teixeira and in an outfield-designated hitter role if they retain Teixeira, hit .455 with five home runs and seven doubles in his first 12 games in the Dominican winter league.
Shaikin is a Times staff writer.
bill.shaikin@latimes.com
