6/15 08:48: Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times says that the Angels do not have a solid option at first base and that gives the team little leverage in trade talks for a potential first baseman.  DiGiovanna adds that the team will need to eat the entire contract of a player like Berkman ($14.5 million this season) or Konerko ($12 million) or fork over more in talent now than would be required closer to the July 31 trade deadline.

However manager Mike Scioscia says, “If there’s something that makes sense, [General Manager] Tony [Reagins] will act on it and act quickly. But I think we have a little more depth than people perceive. Hopefully, we can keep moving forward.”

6/8 11:40: Gideon Rubin of the dailybreeze.com says, “The Chicago White Sox’s Paul Konerko and Houston Astros’ Lance Berkman are rumored to be among those the Angels covet.”

Over the weekend, we heard that Berkman is willing to waive his no-trade trade clause if his 2011 team-option is picked up. The 2011 option is worth $15 million. The demand may be steep, but Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that if Berkman drops this demand, the Angels could be a possible destination.

As Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports on Saturday said, the Angels may not be interested in a trade for an external resource since they have an internal solution with Mike Napoli shifting to first base when Jeff Mathis comes off the disabled list.

Yesterday, Buster Olney of ESPN said that Chicago White Sox are ready to start dealing parts, including first baseman Konerko. Konerko could be pricey since the Angels would have to pay the remainder of his $12 million contract.