While the Angels have denied that they've talked to the White Sox since December, there continued to be speculation that Los Angeles is the latest team to express interest in acquiring Jermaine Dye now that the Mark Teixeira ship has docked in New York.

Unlike the talks with the Cincinnati Reds that stalled during the winter meetings, the White Sox and Angels actually have a fit.

The South Siders covet speed -- Williams told the Sun-Times back in June that Figgins was "interesting" -- and the Angels want a power bat to offer some protection for Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter.

The one problem is the Angels have a surplus of outfielders with Hunter, Guerrero, Gary Matthews and Juan Rivera. But they could convert someone to first base as well as platoon Guerrero and Matthews at designated hitter.

What Dye would bring them is 137 home runs and 378 runs batted in since 2005 -- the most by any American League outfielder in that span.

Figgins, who can play third, second and the outfield, would give Williams a legitimate leadoff hitter who has averaged slightly more than 47 stolen bases a year since 2005.

Because of his versatility, Figgins could fill a hole at second or move into the outfield, also allowing Carlos Quentin to move to his more natural outfield position in right field.

According to one major league scout, the Angels are not thrilled with what's left on the free agent outfield market and do not want to be pawns in the ongoing Manny Ramirez game.

Dye and Hunter are good friends, and the Angels are not one of the teams listed on Dye's no-trade list.

While the White Sox are not commenting on whether Dye is still available to trade, adding free agent Bartolo Colon likely closed the door on the Jon Garland rumors.

There was speculation the White Sox might try to bring back Garland -- a free agent -- to the South Side, but there no longer seems to be a fit.