Spring training site
Tempe, Ariz.
2008 record
100-62, won AL West, lost to Red Sox in ALDS
New faces
OF Bobby Abreu (free agent, Yankees); LHP Brian Fuentes (free agent, Rockies)
Biggest offseason acquisition
Abreu was picked up for a relative song (one year, $5 million) late in the free agency period, and should be an upgrade over Garret Anderson in left field.
Gone but not forgotten
1B Mark Teixeira (free agent, to Yankees); RHP Francisco Rodriguez (free agent, to Mets); LF Garret Anderson (free agent, to Braves); RHP Jon Garland (free agent, to Diamondbacks)
Spring training battles
Few teams lost as much in free agency as the Angels. Kendry Morales and Robb Quinlan are fighting for playing time at first base, and it appears that Morales will win out and get a shot to start. And the starting rotation is in flux because of injury - in fact, no team has had more drama flapping around their arms in Arizona. John Lackey and Ervin Santana will probably open the season on the disabled list, joining Kelvim Escobar, who is coming off shoulder surgery and might be back in May. That's left quite a few auditions for starts in April.
Projected lineup
- 3B Chone Figgins
- 2B Howie Kendrick
- LF Bobby Abreu
- RF Vladimir Guerrero
- CF Torii Hunter
- 1B Kendry Morales
- DH Juan Rivera
- C Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli
- SS Erick Aybar
Projected starting rotation
- LHP Joe Saunders
- RHP Jered Weaver
- RHP Dustin Moseley
- RHP Shane Loux
- RHP Nick Adenhart
Note: John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Kelvim Escobar likely to start season on DL.
Projected bullpen
- LHP Brian Fuentes (closer)
- RHP Scot Shields
- RHP Jose Arredondo
- LHP Darren Oliver
- RHP Justin Speier
- RHP Kevin Jepsen
- RHP Jason Bulger
Biggest strength
This team will generate runs with good speed at the top of the order and solid everyday guys. And when they're healthy, this starting rotation is far and away the best in the AL West. And to win the AL West this season, the Angels merely will have to be good.
Glaring weakness
Is this team ever healthy? And can Brian Fuentes pick up where Francisco Rodriguez left off?
