Los Angeles Angels
1: How does the loss of RHP John Lackey affect the rotation? Lackey (11-8, 3.83 ERA) has been the anchor of the Angels' rotation for the better part of the last decade. He started and was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series, earned an All-Star nod in 2007 and finished his time in Southern California with a 102-71 record. Allowed to leave as a free agent after the 2009 season, Lackey signed with the Boston Red Sox, the team he just helped sweep out of the playoffs a year ago. While the loss of a staff ace may seem like a big blow, the Angels are blessed with depth in starters. RHP Jered Weaver (16-8, 3.75 ERA) will likely assume the mantle as ace. Weaver is relatively young (27) and has not yet hit his ceiling. Filling out the rotation are RHP Ervin Santana (8-8, 5.03 ERA), LHP Joe Saunders (16-7, 4.60 ERA), LHP Scott Kazmir (10-9, 4.89 ERA), and RHP Joel Pineiro (15-12, 3.49 ERA). It seems unlikely there will be significant, if any drop off in starting pitching.
2: Who will replace 3B Chone Figgins at the top of the lineup? In 2009, Figgins (.298, .395 OBP, 42 SB, 114 R), did all you could ask of a leadoff man. His departure to division foe Seattle leaves quite a hole at the top of an otherwise solid lineup. Looking over the rest of the roster you don't see another player that quite has the skill-set to be a true leadoff man. Manager Mike Scioscia will likely look to either SS Erick Aybar (.312, .353 OBP) or INF Maicer Izturis (.300, .359 OBP) to fill that spot. Scioscia would likely prefer to see Aybar claim the spot given he has a clearly defined role in the field, whereas starting Izturis would require shuffling positions in the infield.
3: How much does losing DH Vladimir Guerrero hurt? Once one of the most feared hitters in the game, Guerrero (.295, 15 HR, 50 RBI) has seen his production slip and injuries begin to take their toll over that past two seasons. However, when healthy he was still a productive RBI man in the middle of the lineup. To account for that loss in production, the Angels brought in DH Hideki Matsui and will lean on rookie 3B Brandon Wood in 2010. The ex-Yankee Matsui (.274, 28 HR, 90 RBI) has averaged 85 RBI in his seven MLB seasons, and if healthy can be expected to produce at that rate again in 2010. Wood (.195, 1 HR, 3 RBI in 41 AB), is expected to win the starting 3B job out of training camp. The Angels acknowledge that while his glove is excellent, his bat still needs to come around. Combine Matsui and Wood with the already existing core of RF Bobby Abreu (.293, 15 HR, 103 RBI), 1B Kendry Morales (.306, 34 HR, 108 RBI), LF Juan Rivera (.287, 25 HR, 88 RBI) and CF Torii Hunter (.299, 22 HR, 90 RBI) and you have a very potent lineup.
4: Has the bullpen improved? If you could find any weak spot on the team in 2009, it was the bullpen. The Angels finished the season ranked 23rd in MLB with a 4.49 ERA and 29th in the league with a .270 BAA. LHP Brian Fuentes (3.93 ERA, 48 SV) adequately filled in for the departed RHP Francisco Rodriguez in the closer role, but the consistency of the middle of the bullpen left something to be desired. The addition of flame-throwing RHP Fernando Rodney will help, but the Angels are expecting improvement from within in 2010.
5: Where will the Angels finish the season? For the first time in recent memory the Angels aren't the runaway favorites to win the AL West. With the offseason additions in Seattle and the emerging Texas Rangers, the Angels will have their hands full in 2010. This is still a very good team and likely has enough to hold off Seattle and Texas, though Angel fans may be paying a little more attention to the division standings throughout the year. You can find the Angels to win the American League at +1015 and to win the World Series at +1850 over at
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03-13-2010, 08:31 PM
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 5 questions
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