Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar talking with Angels about new deals

Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto has had preliminary discussions with the agents for second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Erick Aybar about multiple-year deals that would prevent the infielders from becoming free agents after the 2012 season.

Kendrick, who hit .285 with 18 home runs, 30 doubles and 63 runs batted in last season, and the slick-fielding Aybar, who hit .279 with 10 homers, 33 doubles and 59 RBIs, are entering their final years of arbitration.

“At this point, it’s something we’ve begun to explore and will continue to explore,” Dipoto said. “There is no timetable, but certainly, it’s something we’re interested in pursuing.”

Kendrick, 28, made $3.3 million last season and is expected to push his salary to the $5.1-million range in arbitration this winter. He could command a deal in the four-year, $34-million range.

Aybar, who turns 28 next week, made $3 million last season and is expected to push his salary to about $4.5 million in arbitration this winter. The switch-hitter could command a four-year deal in the $30-million range.

Morales update

Slugger Kendrys Morales is in Vail, Colo., this week undergoing a series of tests to determine whether he will be able to intensify his rehabilitation from a broken left ankle, which has sidelined the switch-hitting first baseman for the last 11/2 seasons.

“We’ll find out if he can step up to the next level and start more rigorous baseball activities,” Dipoto said. “I wouldn’t say Kendrys’ 2012 season hinges on the answers we get this week, but the optimism we already feel could be enhanced.”

Morales, who hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 RBIs in 2009, broke his lower left leg while jumping into home plate after a game-winning grand slam May 29, 2010.

He underwent season-ending surgery that June, was unable to return last spring and had a second surgery last May, performed by Dr. Thomas Clanton, a Colorado foot-and-ankle specialist, that sidelined him for the 2011 season.

Morales has been jogging on a “de-weighted” treadmill and hitting off a tee, but the Angels won’t get a better read on him until he gets into more baseball activities.

If Morales regains his 2009 form, he could provide a formidable left-handed complement to slugger Albert Pujols.

“The news has been consistently positive, and we’re hopeful of a healthy return,” Dipoto said. “With the depth we have at the corners, we’re not contingent on his return by opening day, but we’re optimistic that could happen.”

Case closed?

There have been persistent Internet rumors linking the Angels to free-agent closer Ryan Madson, but Dipoto said it is “very, very unlikely” the team will acquire the right-hander or any other closer.

“What I’ll say with some degree of certainty is that our most significant acquisitions have already been made,” Dipoto said, alluding to the signings of Pujols (10 years, $240 million) and pitcher C.J. Wilson (five years, $77.5 million).

“In a perfect world, we’d like to find another guy to join Jordan Walden, Scott Downs and LaTroy Hawkins to help with those last nine outs. But closer has never been the real priority.”

Walden had a 2.98 earned-run average, 32 saves and 10 blown saves in 2011, and some observers think he would benefit from a year of seasoning as a setup man to an established closer.

Downs and Hawkins are coming off outstanding seasons, but Hawkins is 39, Downs will be 36, and their skills could erode. If Walden struggles, the Angels’ bullpen might not be World Series-caliber.

Rich man

Pujols will receive $240 million in base salary over the next 10 seasons, according to a union filing detailing the fine print of his contract, which took almost a month to be finalized.

Upon retirement, he will be offered a personal-services contract that would pay $1 million a year for 10 years. Pujols can decline or terminate the agreement at any time.

As previously reported, Pujols will earn $12 million next season and $16 million in 2013. His salary will climb to $23 million in 2014 and increase by $1 million every season through 2021, when he will earn $30 million.

Pujols can earn an additional $10 million for the marketing rights related to milestone accomplishments such as his 3,000th hit and 763rd home run.

He can also earn an extra $875,000 annually in performance-based incentives: $50,000 for making an All-Star team; $75,000 each for winning a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger or American League Championship Series MVP; $100,000 for winning the World Series MVP; and $500,000 for winning the AL MVP.

Pujols will get four seats for every home game, and the Pujols Family Foundation will get a suite for 10 home games every year. Pujols will donate $100,000 annually to the Angels’ charity.

With the personal-services agreement, the players’ union values the contract at $246,841,111.

Minor move

The Angels on Thursday hired Mike LaCassa as manager of minor league operations. LaCassa worked as a player development assistant for the Texas Rangers in 2010-2011

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Times staff writer Dylan Hernandez contributed to this report.