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Free agency leaves '10 lineup uncertain
Figgins, Abreu, Lackey, Guerrero can all entertain offers
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
10/30/09 3:29 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- Rarely, if ever, have the Angels entered an offseason with so many critical personnel matters on the table.Decisions surround all seven of their prospective free-agent cases, and until those are resolved, it will be difficult to move on to other issues.
Eligible to entertain bids are the dynamic duo atop the batting order, the tower of power atop the rotation and the man many consider the greatest offensive performer in franchise history.
Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu, John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero form that formidable quartet. Nobody outside the Angels' tight inner circle, including the athletes themselves at this point, can offer anything more than speculation as where they'll be employed when camps open next spring.
Joining the big four on the open market are Darren Oliver and Robb Quinlan, respected veterans who have brought stability and versatility to manager Mike Scioscia's outfit.
The seventh free-agent-to-be is Kelvim Escobar, who has been idle for most of the past two seasons with shoulder issues and is hoping to show he can regain his form as a frontline starter.
In terms of payroll, a significant budgeting consideration is presented by eight arbitration-eligible players, each of whom figures to draw a raise. That class includes starters Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders; catchers Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli; infielders Erick Aybar, Howard Kendrick and Maicer Izturis; and outfielder Reggie Willits.
Last winter, the Angels put virtually their entire focus on re-signing first baseman Mark Teixeira, who eventually opted for a Yankees offer of eight years and $180 million. They went after less expensive pieces and reaped tremendous dividends from Abreu, closer Brian Fuentes and outfielder Juan Rivera.
The emergence of Kendry Morales as a slugging first baseman was a windfall, helping the club establish a franchise record for runs scored in a season, and he played better defense than anyone anticipated.
This time around, the Angels hope to get a quicker read on where they stand with their free agents and respond accordingly to shore up potential areas of need.
Once again, they are blessed with perhaps unmatched depth, giving them in-house options for replacing everyone except Lackey -- unless they think Sean O'Sullivan, Matt Palmer or Trevor Bell can handle a rotation spot. If Lackey departs, there will be a hole in the rotation that will need to be filled, most likely, by a less expensive free-agent starter or in a deal.
Entering the fourth year of his five-year free-agent deal, outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. is asking the front office to make every effort to move him to a club in need of a center fielder. Given the $23 million owed Matthews, the Angels probably would have to take back significant salary in return, complicating the matter.
Contract issues
Free agents: John Lackey, RHP; Vladimir Guerrero, RF/DH; Chone Figgins, 3B; Bobby Abreu, OF; Darren Oliver, LHP; Robb Quinlan, 1B/OF; Kelvim Escobar, RHP.
Eligible for arbitration: Jered Weaver, RHP; Joe Saunders, LHP; Jeff Mathis, C; Mike Napoli, C; Howard Kendrick, 2B; Erick Aybar, SS; Maicer Izturis, 2B/SS; Reggie Willits, OF.
Player options: None.
Club options: None.
Non-tender possibilities: None.
Catchers
• Mike Napoli, .272 BA, 20 HRs, 56 RBIs
• Jeff Mathis, .211 BA, 5 HRs, 28 RBIs
• Bobby Wilson, .200 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs
Mathis' offensive eruption during postseason play might move the Angels in the direction of making him the regular receiver and turning Napoli into their primary DH, with Wilson in a support role. Few are better than Mathis defensively.
First base
• Kendry Morales, .306 BA, 34 HRs, 108 RBIs
• Brandon Wood, .195 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
• Matt Brown, .000 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs
Morales turned a question mark into an exclamation point, emerging as an elite player. Once he began bashing lefties, there was minimal opportunity for Quinlan to make a contribution. Wood has shown he can handle the larger glove if needed.
Second base
• Howard Kendrick, .291 BA, 10 HRs, 61 RBIs
• Maicer Izturis, .300 BA, 8 HRs, 65 RBIs
• Freddy Sandoval, .182 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs
The Angels have an embarrassment of riches here with Kendrick and Izturis both high-caliber players, offensively and defensively. Izturis could be the everyday third baseman.
Shortstop
• Erick Aybar, .312 BA, 5 HRs, 58 RBIs
• Maicer Izturis, .300 BA, 8 HRs, 65 RBIs
• Brandon Wood, .195 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
After sharing the position with Izturis in 2008, Aybar blossomed into a Gold Glove candidate while leading the team in hitting at .312. Izturis and Wood offer exceptional protection.
Third base
• Brandon Wood, .195 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
• Maicer Izturis, .300 BA, 8 HRs, 65 RBIs
• Matt Brown, .000 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs
Wood is expected to get a shot at finally fulfilling his tremendous potential, with Izturis a viable backup option with extraordinary versatility offensively as well as defensively.
Outfield
• Torii Hunter, .299 BA, 22 HRs, 90 RBIs
• Juan Rivera, .287 BA, 25 HRs, 88 RBIs
• Gary Matthews Jr., .250 BA, 4 HRs, 50 RBIs
• Reggie Willits, .213 BA, 0 HRs, 6 RBIs
• Terry Evans, .286 BA, 0 HRs, 1 RBI
• Chris Pettit, .286 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs
Hunter and Rivera are established starters, both coming off superb seasons, but the third spot is questionable with Guerrero and Abreu both in free agency and Matthews desirous of a change of address in order to play center. Willits, Evans and Pettit would love the opportunity to show they can handle a steady job with different skill sets.
Designated hitter
• Mike Napoli, .272 BA, 20 HRs, 56 RBIs
• Brandon Wood, .195 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
Napoli was a force in his DH opportunities in 2009 and could be a weapon in this role on an everyday basis, with Wood and others in reserve.
Rotation
• Jered Weaver, 16-8, 3.75 ERA
• Joe Saunders, 16-7, 4.60 ERA
• Ervin Santana, 8-8, 5.03 ERA
• Scott Kazmir, 10-9, 4.89 ERA
• Sean O'Sullivan, 4-2, 5.92 ERA
• Matt Palmer, 11-2, 3.93 ERA
The Angels have four young and proven starters in Weaver, Saunders, Santana and Kazmir, each blessed with the stuff to emerge as an ace. How they handle the fifth slot if Lackey doesn't return is the question. Free agency could provide the answer, or a deal, if they determine that neither O'Sullivan nor Trevor Bell is ready and Palmer is more valuable as a swing man.
Bullpen
• Brian Fuentes, 1-5, 3.93 ERA, 48 saves
• Kevin Jepsen, 6-4, 4.94 ERA, 1 save
• Scot Shields, 1-3, 6.62 ERA, 1 save
• Jason Bulger, 6-1, 3.56 ERA, 1 save
• Jose Arredondo, 2-3, 6.00 ERA
• Matt Palmer, 11-2, 3.93 ERA
The return to form of Shields after knee surgery and Arredondo from elbow issues would make this a deep and formidable unit. Oliver, the team's most dependable pitcher from April through October, would be missed if he doesn't return.
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
