NEW YORK - Mark Teixeira played in 54 games for the Los Angeles Angels last season after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves in July, hitting .358 with 43 RBIs.
The Angels hoped to retain Teixeira, but agent Scott Boras engineered a bidding war between the Red Sox and Yankees that New York won with an offer of $180 million over eight years.
“I thought his interest was genuine,’’ Angels general manager Tony Reagins said yesterday. “But obviously economics play a big part in free agency and the comfort level of playing on the East Coast, I think that was a big part. His family is based here and I get that.’’
Reagins took the money he didn’t spend on Teixeira and signed right fielder Bobby Abreu and closer Brian Fuentes and retained free agent left fielder Juan Rivera. The Angels also signed righthander Ervin Santana to a four-year extension in February.
Those four players cost the Angels $20.55 million in base salary this season, only $550,000 more than what the Yankees are paying Teixeira.
“Did we regret out decision? Absolutely not,’’ Reagins said. “We put our best foot forward in that situation and it didn’t work out. Once we got the word that it wasn’t going to happen, we moved forward.’’
When he signed with the Yankees, Teixeira called former Angels teammate Torii Hunter with the news.
“I said, ‘Good luck to you guys and hope to see you in the ALCS,’ ’’ said Teixeira. “We got our wish.’’
Hunter remembered the call.
“He said that to me during a game, too,’’ said Hunter. “I guess Mark was right. Now we’re going to have some fun.’’
If Game 1 is postponed, it could prevent the Yankees from starting CC Sabathia in three games. Manager Joe Girardi has set his rotation only through three games, saying A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte would follow Sabathia.
The Yankees hope to use Sabathia on three days’ rest in Game 4 in California Tuesday. But if Game 1 is pushed back, those plans will have to change.
“I don’t really worry about that because that’s not something I can control at this point,’’ Girardi said.
If needed, the Yankees are likely to use Chad Gaudin as their fourth starter instead of Joba Chamberlain. Gaudin reported to Yankee Stadium Tuesday to throw a 50-pitch simulated game. The idea was to build up arm strength. He last pitched in a game Oct. 3 against Tampa Bay, when he threw 22 pitches in relief. His last start came Sept. 28.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he would stick with his four-man rotation of John Lackey, Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver, and Scott Kazmir regardless of when the games are played.
Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. 
