"The Angels' most pressing needs in the eyes of new General Manager Jerry Dipoto are rotation depth behind Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana; right-handed, back-of-the-bullpen relievers; catching and a better on-base percentage.

Noticeably absent from Dipoto's priority list is a burly first baseman who can slug 40 homers and drive in 120 runs a season at a cost of $25 million a year for six to eight years.

After being contenders for high-priced free agents such as Carl Crawford, Adrian Beltre and Mark Teixeira in recent winters, the Angels look as if they will sit out the Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder sweepstakes.

"You have to be open to the possibility, but it's not something we're going to aggressively pursue," Dipoto said Friday, the end of his second week on the job. "I don't think you're going to get a financial bargain swimming in that pool."

Looking at the four-year, $50-million deal closer Jonathan Papelbon struck with Philadelphia on Friday, there aren't many bargains at the top of the free-agent food chain.

But as Dipoto prepares for next week's general managers meetings in Milwaukee, he acknowledged he has contacted the agent for left-hander C.J. Wilson, the Texas Rangers ace who is the best available starting pitcher."