Wells May Offer Glimpse of the Future

The Angels get a look this weekend at the one player who might help them the most next season. Whether they get a chance to get him could be one of the intriguing questions of the winter.

The player in question is Vernon Wells, the star center fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays. Wells, a two-time Gold Glove winner with 31 home runs and a .312 batting average, could shore up the Angels’ shortcomings in power and defense.

The Angels have targeted center field or third base, or both, for off-season upgrades.

Wells, 27, makes $5.6 million next season and figures to double his salary thereafter, when he will be eligible for free agency. The Angels inquired about him before the July trading deadline.

The Blue Jays plan to discuss a contract extension with him this fall.

“When that time comes, I’ll have a better idea of what my future will be in this organization,” Wells said Saturday.

If Wells and the Blue Jays do not agree on an extension, the Blue Jays would have to decide whether to trade him this winter or risk losing him for nothing next winter, with the possibility that the new collective bargaining agreement will eliminate draft-choice compensation for teams that lose free agents.

If the Angels and Blue Jays were to agree on a trade package, the Angels would then have to sign him to an extension or risk losing him in free agency. Wells, who lives in Texas and has long been rumored to want to play there, said he would not necessarily focus on the Rangers and Astros should he become a free agent.

“It’s not 100%,” he said.

Would he consider Anaheim?

“It’s a beautiful place,” he said. “At the same time, I’m very comfortable here with Toronto. I’ve been here my whole career. This place is first, and everything else is second.”

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Nebraska plays USC next week, so Darin Erstad wore a bright red “BEAT SC” T-shirt in the clubhouse Saturday. Erstad was the punter for Nebraska’s 1994 national championship team.... Third baseman Maicer Izturis did not start. Manager Mike Scioscia said one of Izturis’ hamstrings stiffened after Friday’s game. Izturis said his hamstrings were fine Saturday. He is expected to play today.... The Angels’ triple-A Salt Lake affiliate was eliminated from the Pacific Coast League playoffs Saturday. Infielders Dallas McPherson and Kendry Morales, outfielder Tommy Murphy and pitchers Greg Jones and Dustin Moseley will join the Angels Monday.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com