by Ken Rosenthal

Eckstein, 33, is almost certain to be traded before the deadline for setting postseason rosters at midnight Sunday. While talks are fluid, the Jays currently are more inclined to trade with the D-backs, sources say.

The Giants' Omar Vizquel and Orioles' Juan Castro are among the other shortstops the Angels are investigating. The Angels currently have two infielders on the disabled list, Maicer Izturis and Howie Kendrick, and a third, Erick Aybar, who is day-to-day with a hamstring problem.

Vizquel, 41, has lost playing time to Emmanuel Burriss, and the Giants likely would accommodate him if he wished to play for a contender. Vizquel told the San Francisco Chronicle this week that he wanted to play next season, either for the Giants or in Japan.

The Orioles, lacking a replacement for Castro at short, would be a more reluctant trading partner for the Angels, whose double-play combination the past three games has consisted of rookie second baseman Sean Rodriguez and rookie shortstop Brandon Wood.

The Diamondbacks, after losing Orlando Hudson to season-ending wrist surgery, are using Augie Ojeda and Chris Burke at second. The addition of Eckstein would give them a more experienced option.

Eckstein, 33, has started 56 games at shortstop this season and five at second. He missed most of May with a strained right hip flexor and has lost playing time since Cito Gaston took over as manager in late June.

In 297 plate appearances this season, Eckstein is batting .273 with a .352 on-base percentage, one home run and 22 RBIs. He began his major-league career with the Angels in 2001 after being claimed on waivers from the Red Sox in 2000.