According to an industry insider, the Dodgers are the favorites to wind up with top free agent starter Zack Greinke, with the Angels and Rangers on the outside looking in.

As the offseason got underway, the Angels traded Ervin Santana to the Kansas City Royals and declined Dan Haren’s option for 2013. In doing so they appeared to put all of their eggs in Greinke’s basket, as they made it clear they hoped to re-sign the top free agent target.

The Dodgers made clear their new ownership group provided them money to spend last summer when they went out and basically bought high-priced veterans Hanley Ramirez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Adrian Gonzalez.

After their disappointing exit to the 2012 postseason, the Rangers are expected to make a splash this offseason to supplement their starting rotation. Greinke’s the top pitcher available, and it would certainly be a feather in general manager Jon Daniels’ cap if he was able to keep the right-hander from the Angels.