Finley’s Agent to Visit Suitors

Amid growing reports that the Angels quietly are shopping first baseman Mo Vaughn, the agent for Chuck Finley began a tour of the left-hander’s most likely destinations on Saturday.

Tim Shannon has scheduled face-to-face meetings with general managers Brian Cashman of New York Yankees, Steve Phillips of the New York Mets and Dan Duquette of the Boston Red Sox, according to baseball officials in those cities. Shannon also might call on Cleveland Indian General Manager John Hart by Tuesday.

The Seattle Mariners have made a formal offer for three years, believed to be worth $22 million.

Shannon and Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman last spoke on Wednesday and the Angels’ tone has not changed. That is, Finley, at a price tag of three years and at least $25 million, is too rich for them, despite their lack of front-line pitching.

The passing of Tuesday’s arbitration deadline, after which the Angels can not negotiate with Finley, appears to be a formality.

Several baseball officials said that Stoneman has let it be known that Vaughn is available, and that the cost would be steep in pitchers. Vaughn’s availability is in line with the club’s stated strategy to rework a roster that lost 92 games last season.