The Leadoff guy…

Aybar left and Figgins (if re-signed) right are prime candidates to lead off in 2010

By Brent Hubbard - AngelsWin.com Columnist

And tonight, the leading off for your Los Angeles Angels will be…

Third baseman Chone Figgins? Left Fielder Chone Figgins? Designated Hitter Bobby Abreu? Shortstop Erick Aybar? Second baseman Howie Kendrick? Infielder Macier Izturis?

Someone else?

Throughout the last decade, there have primarily been two leadoff batters for the Angels, Shortstop David Eckstein and the play anywhere Chone Figgins. Both quickly became fan favorites.

Eckstein was allowed to leave (he was non-tendered in the arbitration process) after four seasons as the Angels leadoff guy and Figgins took over. He lost the job after two seasons, but then grabbed it back and was the primary leadoff man for two more before reaching Free Agency this off-season.

Over the past ten years, the most offensively potent Angels teams seem to have consistent play from the leadoff spot, while the years in which the Angels offense seemed a bit lacking certainly started at the top of the order. This certainly gives credence to Manager Mike Scioscia’s philosophy that the leadoff hitter is the most important hitter in the lineup. Over these ten seasons, the only other Angels players to have had the majority of the starts in the leadoff role during a season were OF/1B Darin Erstad, and OF Reggie Willits. Erstad is no longer with the team, and Willits is a possible non-tender candidate, after hovering around the Mendoza line in the two seasons since he started 77 games in 2007 as the leadoff hitter.

In the year 2000, the Angels set a then-team record for many offensive categories. Home Runs (236), Doubles (333), and SLG % (.472) still remain team records, as does the extra-base hit mark (579). No statistical category led the league that year, but overall, this has to be looked at as one heck of an offensive season.

They were led that year by the greatest single season ever from an Angels’ leadoff hitter, and really one of the greatest seasons in Angels’ history. Darin Erstad’s .949 OPS, .409 OBP, .541 SLG, and .354 BA from the leadoff spot is the gold standard for Angels’ leadoff hitters. No Leadoff hitter has come close to this mark, while his 25 HR and 100 RBI from the leadoff spot may never be equaled.

But that team’s offensive success was derailed by a lack of pitching depth, and ever since the team’s focus has been on the pitching side of the ball. While the Angels have focused on the pitching side of the ball, several teams have been impressive offensively, the one constant with these teams, is an impressive leadoff hitting performance.

In 2001, the team struggled to a 75-87 finish. As a group, the leadoff hitters finished with a .275 BA and a .700 OPS. They managed just 83 runs down 40 from 123 the previous season.

In 2002, David Eckstein’s emergence as the everyday leadoff hitter turned things around, the OPS improved to .745, and the on-base percentage also went up .15 points to .358. There were many one—run games this season, and while this isn’t the best offensive season in Angels history, though they did lead the league in hits. It certainly was their most successful season as they out produced their stats, winning 99 games and the World Series as the American League Wild Card.

For 2003, the entire team returned, but failed to catch lightning in a bottle a second year, and stumbled to a 71 and 91 finish. The most telling offensive stat? A combined .677 OPS and .327 OBP from the leadoff spot, and that includes Figgins .754 and .351 in his first season of regular playing time. They scored just 85 runs from the lead-off spot.

In 2004 the Angels won the AL West for the first time since 1986, and had a pretty successful offensive season carried by new acquisition Vladimir Guerrero and his MVP campaign. The Leadoff spot did okay, but certainly not great, posting a .722 OPS, including a .349 OBP.

2005 was Figgins first year as the primary leadoff man, and he posted a solid if not spectacular season. The numbers were a bit better than the year before, mainly a huge surge in Stolen Bases is the reason. Another AL West title and a ALCS berth was the result.

2006 was a dismal year from the leadoff spot, and the Angels missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. They posted a solid record, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the A’s. A .688 OPS from the leadoff spot, including a .323 OBP and just a .255 batting average led the Angels to look for a new lead-off man.

2007 featured a new centerfielder and potential leadoff man in Gary Matthews Jr., but it was fellow OF Reggie Willits who garnered the majority of the starts at the leadoff spot, with two spectacular months and two okay months as the primary guy. Willits never duplicated this success, and after a dismal finish to 2006, Figgins regained something he’d lost and finished the season as the regular leadoff hitter. A .761 OPS with 119 runs scored from the top led to another AL West title.
2008 though seemed to provide yet another regression. Figgins On Base Percentage jumped from .359 to .371 but his slugging percentage really took a dive, managing just 14 doubles for the season. He had become mainly a singles hitter, whatever power he had was now down to a minimum. It was a successful season, despite the leadoff struggles. (A .266 BA for the group? Really?)

In 2009 the Angels led the league in hits, and finished second in runs scored. They set a team record for RBI (841) and runs scored at (883). The reason? (or one of them anyway?) Figgins started 158 games from the leadoff spot, posted career highs in OBP and SLG pct, scored 114 runs, and drove in 54 more.

A spreadsheet of the Angels leadoff performances over the past decade is available here

With the successes and failures of the leadoff spot over the past decade fresh in mind, I now wonder who should inherit the leadoff gig. The only Angels whom the club can control whether or not they return next season include failed leadoff experiment Gary Matthews Jr., who even has said he wants a trade, the speedy but little else Reggie Willits, and middle-infielder Macier Izturis.

None of these have started more than 80 games for the Angels as the leadoff hitter, however, so no established leadoff hitting presence awaits his turn.

Izturis would be the best of the three, but even he posted pretty poor numbers in his career as a leadoff guy, hitting .259 with a .699 OPS.

Other internal options include second baseman Howie Kendrick, who many have predicted would win a batting title one day. Kendrick’s positives are an ever-increasing batting average, speed on the base-paths if not Figgins speed, and it seems to me as if he’d perform well if given the opportunity. But ultimately, I think his best spot in the order is in the 2nd or 3rd spots, depending on how his power develops as he gets older. Negatives include his lack of walks, but Scioscia likes an aggressive hitter.

A more likely option is shortstop Erick Aybar, who had success in 2008 as the leadoff man posting a 1.029 OPS in 5 games batting first. In 2009 he was 0-5 in his only leadoff appearance. He certainly seemed to cement his defensive reputation in 2009, though losing the Gold Glove to overrated perennial winner Derek Jeter, and offensively he had career numbers with a .312 BA. Though the majority of the starts last season came as the #9 batter, it remains to be seen how he’d perform as the leadoff hitter on a regular basis.

Finally, I think the #1 candidate for the leadoff spot in 2010 should Figgins not resign is DH/RF Bobby Abreu. Abreu has never led off for the Angels, but he has led off in his career, to the tune of a .930 OPS from the top of the order. Abreu frustrates batters, and has no problem with two strikes as his approach doesn’t change with the count. He walks a lot, but also hits a lot, has a consistent .400 OBP and Home Run or Doubles Power. Abreu, despite his age, has maintained his skill set effectively. I believe that Abreu has the best chance of being the type of leadoff guy the Angels had in the year 2000 in Darin Erstad. Prototypical, No, but he certainly could add an exciting dimension the way Erstad did in 2000.

Figgins is a fan favorite, and certainly had a good run as the Angels lead off man, and I’d welcome him back to the role, though I do think it’s all about the money and length of contract. I think the Angels see his worth, even if he is statistically not as good as his reputation states. Will he stay as effective into his 30’s the way that Abreu has? Or will he decline the way Erstad did? That is the question the front office must ask. I’m a little wary of a 5 or 6 year deal, so if that is what he asks for, the Angels should not agree.

Ultimately, I think Aybar is the logical choice for the future of the leadoff role, but for 2010, and possibly 2011, Bobby Abreu is a better candidate. Aybar needs time to mature into a Major League hitter and I believe he should stay at the #9 spot for next season. He gives the Angels that second leadoff hitter that Rex Hudler is so fond of pointing out. He could move to the #2 spot, but I think Macier Izturis and Howie Kendrick will do fine there in front of Torri Hunter.

Coming to you from South Carolina...

By Brett Borden - AngelsWin.com Columnist

Hello all, my name is Brett Borden, welcome to my first AngelsWin.com blog. Let me begin by introducing myself and giving you a little background on my journalism and Halo credentials.

I began my sportswriting career in 1994, covering high school basketball in southern Indiana for the Louisville, Ky. newspaper. I moved to Daytona Beach the next year and covered several sports, from professional to college to high school. Two years later I was working for nascar.com, where I got to travel and see my first game at the Big A (a loss to Tampa Bay). Nascar moved me to Charlotte in 2000, where I switched gears and started working for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. I spent seven years working for that organization, cheering on the Angels with fellow fans Steve Smith, DeShaun Foster and Matt Moore (once drafted by the Halos).

I became an Angels fan in 1978. Growing up in Louisville, Ky., everyone who cared anything about baseball loved the Cincinnati Reds. The Big Red Machine had superstars at almost every position on the field, which before free agency took over was very hard to do. The first group of Yankee mercenaries took the baton from those Reds, and baseball hasn’t been the same since.

Why did I choose the Angels? Well, I wanted my own team, and I bought a 1978 preseason magazine that had declared the top two pitchers in the American League to be Nolan Ryan and Frank Tanana. The Angels had signed Bobby Grich, Don Baylor and Joe Rudi…and I liked the Angels’ caps so I figured this was going to be my team.

That first year the Angels were good, but not good enough to beat Kansas City. The next year, though, they won their first ever title behind Baylor and a potent offense. The next winter they let Ryan get away and that really cost them. From that point on, it seemed like there was always something that kept the Angels from putting it all together.

• The 1982 team, which I followed religiously and had, in my opinion, the best everyday lineup since the Big Red Machine, had NO relief pitching. All that star power doomed because Don Aase got hurt. At one point we blew six straight one-run games at home to Boston and Detroit, yet somehow won 93 games. We were the first team to blow a 2-0 lead in the ALCS, losing 3-2 to Milwaukee.

• The 1985 team seemed primed to earn redemption for Gene Mauch, only to flame out the final week in showdowns with the Royals. Another heartbreaker.

• The 1986 team would have won it all in many other seasons, I felt. But that year the Mets were a juggernaut, and of course you know about Boston. Mauch overmanaged the ninth inning of that infamous Game Five and it really hurt to see him leave the game that way.

• The 1989 team looked so tough, putting it all together and having the best record in baseball at the All-Star break by a couple of games, but Oakland was just too powerful and the next year that Angels team fell apart.

• Then came the worst of all collapses…1995. We were a hitting machine with all young guys gelling together, and then our leadoff hitter Tony Phillips got suspended for drugs and the wheels just came off. It was almost too painful to watch, and yet we won our last four games to actually come back and tie Seattle. But in the playoff game they had Randy Johnson and we didn’t. I’ll never forget Mark Langston yelling at Rex Hudler on the bench like a little kid because Hudler’s error gave Seattle its first run.

• There were a couple more close calls in the late 90s, but we faded at the end both times. The second time they showed a sign on Sportscenter held by a fan at the Big A that said “Please, not AGAIN.” It really felt like this franchise was doomed.

Then came 2002. It seemed to come out of nowhere, especially when we started 6-14. There was talk of breaking up that team because it had imploded a couple years before. In fact, Darin Erstad was once traded, only to be “untraded” by Disney management. But Jim Edmonds was the only one sent elsewhere, and after the rough start that Angels team put together winning streaks we hadn’t seen since the early parts of the 1989 and 1995 seasons. Only this team had the grit to keep it going. Looking back now, it’s amazing we won it all with those starting pitchers, but they were just strong enough to keep us in games. And Frankie as a rookie was so awesome to watch. Percy was money.

Beating the Yankees was incredible, especially after blowing the first game of that series. We handled the Twins so handily in the ALCS I thought the Series would be a breeze. But Bonds wasn’t human. We were fortunate to win Game Six (Spiezio’s shot wasn’t out by much) and thankfully the Giants were toast in Game Seven, so we got away with pitching a rookie. They reminded me of us in 1986 after the Henderson bomb.

I didn’t get much sleep that October, watching the games and then the postgame shows for two hours after every win. Lofton’s flyball to center seemed to hang up there forever, but when Erstad started waving I felt like 24 years of emotional investment had finally paid off.

Since then, it seems we’re back to being good enough to be in the mix, but not good enough to close the deal. Only now we’re contending almost every year, so I can’t complain. Anyone who gets down about these last six seasons obviously didn’t go through the 1987 to 2001 Angels experience.

I feel another ring coming in the near future. We need to clear out some old legs and get another wave of young ones up and running for it to happen, but I have faith in this management team that it will happen.

I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts and opinions in the future.

And so it begins. The 2009-2010 Hot Stove is here!

By Brent Hubbard - Angelswin.com Columnist

Ladies and Gentleman, it’s Hot Stove time.

With the Yankees purchase of the World Series Championship concluding on Wednesday, the other 29 teams get things cooking officially today. I kid about the purchase of the World Series Trophy, but the Yankees have committed one billion dollars to free agents over the last few seasons, their own and others, and while they do pay a significant luxury tax, they never seem to be irrelevant for long.

Will they stand pat? I don’t think so. Will they go on a shopping spree as they have the last few off-seasons? No. They have about $35 Million coming off their books in 2010, leaving them with a still high payroll of $166 Million, not including any free agent signings or their own arbitration cases of Chad Gaudin, Cheng-Ming Wang, Sergio Mitre, Melky Cabrera and others.

Their possibility of a repeat World Series Championship is being pegged at about 50/50, as though they certainly looked like the best team this season; they aren’t a young team either. Part of the reason their payroll is so high is that they depend heavily on higher paid veteran players.

Their pitching staff is led by CC Sabathia, ($24 million), AJ Burnett ($16.5), and free agent to be Andy Petite ($5.5). Wang and Joba Chamberlin round out the rotation, but both could be in the pen, or in Wang’s case, non-tendered for the 2010. The Yankees will likely need to add at least one starting pitcher to the back end of the rotation, and the market is sparse. Will they go after the top pitcher on the market in John Lackey? I don’t think so.

They need to get their young pitchers like Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy starts, but the Steinbrenner purchase power cannot be denied. Hughes excelled in the pen during the latter half of the season, but I really think his future is in the rotation.

They are set in the infield, with Hall-Of-Fame Candidates at every position, except second base as Robinson Cano is still a young player, but is among the best players at his position in the league.

Derek Jeter wants to play another 7-8 seasons, chasing the all-time hits record, and his contract is up after next season. He won’t leave New York, but they also have to keep their spending in check in regards to Free Agents this offs-eason, so they can keep him. Even the Yankees have limits...don't they?

Their Outfield and DH spots are full of free agents, Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady, and Hideki Matsui, plus Jerry Hairston and Eric Hinske. Some of these guys will be back, or the Yanks could look at guys like Matt Holliday and Jason Bay…plus our own Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu, and Vladimir Guerrero. Internal options would be guys like Brett Gardner, or AAA-OF Austin Jackson.

Needs: Back End Starting Pitching, Relief Pitching, OF.

Biggest Free Agent Target: Jason Bay, Matt Holliday.

Biggest Free Agent Decision: Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.

Trade Bait: None.

Moving on to their opponent in the World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies. The Fightin’ Phils looked to give the Yanks pretty much all they could handle in this year’s Fall Classic, but ultimately couldn’t get it done. The Phillies are absolutely loaded in the Minor Leagues, including OF prospects like Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown, currently tearing up the Arizona Fall League.

Their 2010 payroll commitment is right around $100 million, before any off-season activity including arbitration hearings, free agent signings, or picking up the options of ace Cliff Lee ($8M, $1M buyout) and third baseman Pedro Feliz ($5M, $500k buyout)

Whether or not they bring back Feliz is up in the air, but Lee’s option will be exercised as soon as possible. Brett Myers heads the list of their free agents to be, along with Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre, Matt Stairs, Pedro Martinez, Paul Bako, & Miguel Cairo.

Shane Victorino heads their arbitration cases, and he almost certainly will get a raise from his $3 Million salary in 2009. Catcher Carlos Ruiz is likely to get one as well in his first year of arbitration. Left-handed pitcher Jack Taschner and right-handed starter Joe Blanton are their only other arbitration cases, though I expect them to be back at near their 2009 salaries. Blanton could be non-tendered or traded.

The Phillies can bring back five starters, including 46 year-old Jaime Moyer – not including free agents Myers and Martinez. They also have to figure out whether Myers figures into their rotation or bullpen plans, possibly supplanting or supplementing veteran, but also sometimes shaky, closer Brad Lidge.

At third base, Feliz is certainly a valid option. But Angels third baseman Chone Figgins fits here well, as does Cardinals third baseman Mark De Rosa or the Mariners former Gold Glover Adrian Beltre. All are free agents. So is Twins Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who could also be a fit, if he wanted to move to third.

They could add a starter, let Blanton go, move Happ and/or Myers to the pen, solidifying their bullpen. Do they have the resources to add a guy like John Lackey? Probably not. I think they stay with their own guys, bringing back Martinez.

Their payroll, even if they decide to use Gregg Dobbs at third and let Feliz go, likely exceeds the $118 Million it was in 2009.

Exercising Lee’s option, then bringing back Myers, Eyre or Park, adding a veteran backup catcher (one of their own free agents or someone else) and a third baseman of any repute will command at least $18 Million. Then if they bring back all of their arbitration eligible guys you can add another $12 Million. At least.

Thinking long-term extensions to their arbitration guys or players like ace Cliff Lee and power-hitting OF Jason Werth, probably put them over their limit to add anyone of value. And they don’t really need to after two straight World Series appearances.

They may not be able to keep everyone on their current roster unless they use their depth in the minors to get other clubs to take some of their mid-payroll guys Moyer, Werth, or reliever Ryan Madson.

I think the Phillies are a good fit for several Angels Free Agents. Lackey would fit right in, as would Chone Figgins. But I don’t see the financial resources to do so without a few serious maneuvers and wheeling and dealing.

Needs: Relief Pitching, Third Base.

Biggest Free Agent Target: John Lackey, Orlando Cabrera, Mark DeRosa.

Biggest Free Agent Decision: Brett Myers, Pedro Feliz (Option), Joe Blanton (Non-Tender Candidate).

Trade Bait: Jason Werth, prospects Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown, J.A. Happ.

Next up are the Phillies NLCS opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers have been in the spotlight quite a bit since their NLCS loss, but it is for the wrong reasons. Owners Jamie and Frank McCourt are in a heated divorce battle, and starting pitcher Vincente Padilla was shot in the leg at a shooting range.

The Dodgers have a young team, but their weak starting pitching was exposed in the latter half of the season and the playoffs, and they definitely need to add a frontline starting pitcher. They have already declined the 2010 option on pitcher John Garland but he could be back. They also declined the option on Will Ohman, and are waiting on Manny Ramirez to exercise his. It’s a safe bet that he will.

The Dodgers have a ton of Free Agents Jason Schmidt, Jim Thome, Padilla, Randy Wolf, Orlando Hudson, Guillermo Mota, Ronnie Belliard, Mark Loretta, Brad Ausmus, Juan Castro, Eric Milton, Doug Mientkiewicz, and Jeff Weaver. This is in addition to Ohman and Garland.

Thankfully, they have plenty of youth, including young superstars Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Both are arbitration eligible this off-season, as well as other young Dodgers James Loney, lefty Chad Billingsley, catcher Russell Martin, left-handed reliever George Sherrill, Closer Jonathan Broxton, outfielder Jason Repko and pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo.

It’s safe to say that the Dodgers Hot Stove League is going to be an eventful one, and the off-the-field drama surrounding the McCourts is going to be a circus as well. The decisions made this off-season will shape the young club for years to come. The McCourts better understand that the off-the-field drama will hurt the club and their pocketbooks for years if they don’t figure things out quickly. That doesn’t figure to happen, so Ned Colletti will seemingly be left to dealing with his own players, and not really able to add a free agent of any merit.

The Dodgers are set in the Outfield with Kemp, Ethier and Manny Ramirez. While they want to sign the two young guys long-term, they’ll probably be limited to one-year deals that supplant the arbitration process. That is in the interest of both parties.

Their Infield has a hole at 2nd base, and they have too many options to list to fill it. Blake DeWitt is the cheapest option, but is he a realistic one? They are set at Catcher, though they’d like to see Russell Martin improve his offense, instead of continuing to decline in that area. Defensively he is excellent. Third base is covered by Casey Blake and first is covered by Loney.

Their biggest need is a veteran starter, meaning a guy like John Lackey has to be on their radar. They also must bring back Randy Wolf. Clayton Kershaw is a young stud pitcher, but they need to add a veteran leader to take the pressure off him as well as other young aces-in-waiting Chad Billingsley and Scott Elbert. Wolf will team with Hiroki Kuroda (if healthy), and two of the three youngsters and Hong-Chih Kuo to form the rotation

They probably would like to move Juan Pierre, but only if Manny exercises his option, and they would use that money to pursue a starter. Their bench is almost all veterans, and while some will be back, others won’t, meaning pursuing depth is not a bad idea.

Their payroll heading into 2009 was just over $100 million, down from a high of $118 million the year before. They added contracts throughout the season, but nothing was a serious commitment for 2010 or beyond, leaving just $65 million committed to 5 players for 2010 including Manny’s option. Three players that are no longer with the team, or are free agents due buyout money, are also figured into that total.

The arbitration estimates for the 9 players who will most certainly all be back would likely be around $25 million to $30 million dollars.

Randy Wolf should be offered a multi-year contract, but will certainly be offered arbitration as he is a Type A Free Agent, so he figures to be back regardless, at likely close to $8 to $10 million. Orlando Hudson is also a type A, but will the Dodgers bring him back? My guess is no. Eric Milton and Jeff Weaver could be back, but at minimal salaries, and Ronnie Belliard might have played himself into a two-year deal with the Dodgers, though I can’t see him getting more than Orlando Cabrera received with the A’s this past off-season ($3.5M) I can’t see the Dodgers bringing anyone else back, except possibly Brad Ausmus or Mark Loretta. They should run from Vincente Padilla. The rest of the bench and bullpen will be made of their own club-control or minor league guys, or cheaper free-agents.

If everything goes down as I’ve stated above, they will have plenty of room to add a few players, including a front-line starter. They should be right back around the $100 million mark.

Their biggest target this off-season should be John Lackey or Chone Figgins. I don’t think either is likely. They could also try to trade for Roy Halladay, and they have to be the favorites here. They could center the package on minor league pitcher James McDonald or pick from their other really good prospects, and could include catcher Russell Martin. If they do so, look for them to add a player like Bengie Molina.

Needs: Front-Line Starting Pitcher, Second baseman, Quick Divorce Settlement

Biggest Free Agent Target: John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Marco Scutaro, Orlando Cabrera

Biggest Free Agent Decision: Randy Wolf, Ronnie Belliard

Trade Target: Roy Halladay

Trade Bait: Juan Pierre, Jonathan Broxton

The final team for today is your own Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Most of the readers here at Angelswin.com are pretty familiar with the club and it’s off-season priorities. The Angels have just under $68 Million committed to 8 players, have several key free agents, and several arbitration candidates.

As I was writing this article, the Angels signed Bobby Abreu to a two-year deal with a vesting option for a third. That takes away the speculation of some of their off-season dealings, but they still have key free agents in John Lackey, Vladimir Gurrero, Chone Figgins, and reliever Darren Oliver. Injured pitcher Kelvim Escobar and backup infielder Robb Quinlan round out the group.

I’ll save the speculation on who (else) they will sign, and focus next on the arbitration cases.

Mike Napoli heads the arbitration eligible players, followed by fellow catcher Jeff Mathis. Infielders Howie Kendrick, Macier Izturis, and Erick Aybar are all eligible, as are pitchers Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver. I expect all of these players to be back, but I also think OF Reggie Willits, eligible for the first time is a non-tender candidate.

I’d estimate that the group of 7 arbitration cases to be settled, either via one-year deals, mulit-year deals, or the unlikely prospect of an actual arbitration hearing, for around a total of $20-$25 Million.

This would bring the total to around $88-93 Million. If the estimate at $9 M for Abreu is correct, that would bring the total payroll to between $97 and $102 Million. The 25-Man roster would then have 16 spots filled.

The Angels are set in the rotation and the pen should be better with Scot Shields return to form in 2010. I can’t see them adding an arm unless they move one of their young guys in a trade or they don’t bring back Darren Oliver. Kevin Jepsen, Matt Palmer and Jason Bulger all pitched well this season, even if Jose Arrendondo did not. They still have a pen full of hard-throwers under control for a quite a while. Bringing back Kelvim Escobar is also an option, even if it is a minor-league deal.

The only question pitching wise then, would be whether or not to offer John Lackey a large multi-year deal. The Angels will offer him a deal, but whether it is similar to Jason Schmidt’s 4 year 52 million dollar deal, AJ Burnett’s 5 year 82.5 million dollar deal, or CC Sabathia’s 8 year $161 million dollar deal, remains to be seen. I legitimately see options elsewhere for Lackey, but no competitive team has the triumvirate of financial resources, stability, and a competitive team. The Phillies and the Dodgers have to be the favorites to go after Lackey, the Mets and the Rangers, will likely offer as well. But ultimately the Angels are the best fit.

In the Infield, the Angels have a glutton of middle infielders in Aybar, Kendrick, and Izturis. One could be trade bait, if the target was right, but most likely all will be back. They also have SS/3B Brandon Wood, who figures to get the starting third base job should they fail to re-sign Figgins, or even if they do and do some shuffling in the OF. Wood is out of minor league options, which means he will be with the big club next year. Even if he isn’t a starter. They have minor league capable bench guys as well, in Matt Brown and Freddy Sandoval. One of these two likely will also replace FA Robb Quinlan on the roster, who is better suited to a National League club, or will head home to Minnesota.

They are set at Catcher, with Napoli and Mathis, plus youngsters Bobby Wilson and Hank Conger in the mix. Conger will likely start the season at AAA. This leads me to believe that the Angels will carry three catchers most of next season, though Wilson does have options, and could be back and forth to AAA. This equates to more DH at-Bats for Napoli, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The Outfield is anchored by CF Torii Hunter. They have a good portion of their payroll tied up in him, Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr and the newly signed Bobby Abreu.

Matthews wants out, but he may not be the only one to be moved. Juan Rivera’s production and salary is a good trading chip for those teams looking for Outfield help. Matthews will likely only be moved if he is moved for another bad contract, or if they can get something of value back for him and eat some of the contract. There are several interesting contracts out there that could be a fit, but signing Abreu today does hurt the Angels leverage in any trade talks. If they choose to bring back Vlad or Figgins before they move Matthews, they will have nearly zero leverage here, and I’d guess GMJ is ultimately released.

Chone Figgins is going to be the most sought after free agent the Angels have, with as many as a dozen clubs looking at him to fill one of their open spots. Figgins speed, hitting, and OBP jump last season really helped him, but for some statistical reason (ie lack of Home Runs) he is a type B Free Agent. And that means more offers.

While the Angels could bring him back, they also could decide that he is too expensive. They have a replacement at third, but do they have a replacement at the top of the order?

Finally, we come to the decision on whether or not to bring back DH/RF Vladimir Guerrero. He was hurt for part of this season, but he also manages to be a Type A Free Agent. He wants to stay, and will certainly take a pay cut to do so, but if he does not, he will have options as a DH in the American League, especially if the Angels decline arbitration. I hope they bring him back, because Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu don’t really inspire fear the way that Vladimir does, but will they have a spot for him?

Unfortunately, I think it is probable that only Figgins or Guerrero returns. I do expect the team to look similar to this year’s 97 game winner, but they also could be active on the trade market, looking at pitchers like Roy Halladay, or Barry Zito, or outfielders like Jayson Werth. Many Angels fans hope for a free agent splash like Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, but I don’t see it. They have a lot of money tied up in the OF now, and while they don’t have a stud prospect pushing in the OF for a starting gig, they do have a pretty solid group.

Needs: Front-Line Starting Pitcher (Lackey), Veteran Reliever (Oliver or a FA)

Biggest Free Agent Target: Rafael Soriano. Randy Winn, Garrett Anderson

Biggest Free Agent Decision: John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero

Trade Target: Roy Halladay

Trade Bait: Jered Weaver, Gary Matthews Jr., Juan Rivera, Macier Izturis.

Angels re-signed Bobby Abreu to Two Year Contract.

(Getty Images)

By Eric Denton - AngelsWin.com Senior Writer

The Angels announced the re-signing of outfielder Bobby Abreu to a two year contract with an option for 2012 on Thursday afternoon. The contract is reportedly worth $19 million guaranteed with the option for the third year based on plate appearances.

Abreu, 35 joined the Angels late in the free agent season and ended up in the words of manager Mike Scioscia the team's MVP.

Abreu certainly had one of the biggest hits of the year for the Angels, doubling off Jonathon Papelbon during the Angels 9th inning rally that defeated the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of their portion of the ALDS.

Abreu had a strong season for the 2009 AL West Champion Angels, batting .293 with 96 runs, 29 2B's, 3 2B's, 15 HRs, 103 RBI and 30 SB.

"I am very happy to sign this contract," said Abreu. "I really enjoyed my first season with the club. The Angels are a solid organization, with an outstanding team and great fans. With the talent we have, I look forward to the opportunity of postseason competition once again."

Not only did Abreu deliver for the Angels on the field, he also did in the clubhouse. Many Angels including Torii Hunter, Chone Figgins, Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar credit Abreu with giving them a different perspective towards their at bats. All hitters became more patient, worked the counts better and improved their on base percentages.

"I'd be in the on-deck circle, and I couldn't swing at the first thing I saw after Bobby just had an eight-pitch at-bat," - Torii Hunter

"Bobby showed me so much, He's one of the elite players in this game and has been for a long time." - Chone Figgins

Los Angeles still have important decisions to make regarding other free agents John Lackey, Chone Figgins Darren Oliver and Vladimir Guerrero.