Spring training site
Tempe, Ariz.
2007 record
94-68, won AL West, lost to Boston in Division Series
New faces
RHP Jon Garland (trade, White Sox); CF Torii Hunter (free agent, Twins)
Biggest offseason acquisition
Hunter is the team's second center-field acquisition in two years, but Hunter is the real deal. They're paying him $90 million over five seasons, almost double what they paid Gary Matthews Jr. before the 2007 season. Hunter is a Gold Glove fielder and should fit in well with the Angels' scrappy personality.
Gone but not forgotten
Orlando Cabrera was traded to the White Sox for Garland and was quietly one of the best offensive shortstops in the game (.301, 86 RBI last season), while also winning a Gold Glove. They aren't likely to get the same kind of production from Erick Aybar (.237 with one homer last year) or super-sub Maicer Izturis. Will Garland be that good?
Gone but definitely forgotten
There were few takers for Bartolo Colon in the free agent market. The 2005 Cy Young Award winner was 6-8 with a 6.34 ERA and took a major pay cut to pitch for the Boston Red Sox in a minor-league deal.
Spring training battles
Aside from shortstop, there were six starting pitchers for five spots. But a shoulder injury to Kelvim Escobar will put that battle on the back burner, and Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders will both likely open the season in the rotation.
Projected lineup
- 3B Chone Figgins
- LF-RF Gary Matthews Jr.
- RF-DH Vladimir Guerrero
- DH-LF Garret Anderson
- CF Torii Hunter
- 1B Casey Kotchman
- 2B Howie Kendrick
- C Mike Napoli
- SS Erick Aybar or Maicer Izturis
Projected starting rotation
- RHP John Lackey
- RHP Jon Garland
- RHP Jered Weaver
- RHP Ervin Santana
- LHP Joe Saunders
Projected bullpen
- Francisco Rodriguez (closer)
- RHP Scot Shields
- LHP Darren Oliver
- RHP Justin Speier
- RHP Chris Bootcheck
- RHP Dustin Moseley
Biggest strength
Adding Garland (who won 18 games in 2005 and 2006) should solidify a good starting rotation. That's a solid big three with Lackey, Garland and Santana, leading into a bullpen with one of the best closers in the game in Francisco Rodriguez. And adding Hunter to the lineup should increase the Angels' run production.
Glaring weakness
Other than perhaps at shortstop there aren't too many, which is a good omen toward a repeat AL West title in Anaheim. The Angels don't hit many home runs, which puts a premium on rallies. As long as no parts of the lineup go into major slumps collectively, then the Angels should be a favorite in the division again.
