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This winter will be a season of change for the Angels

November 2nd, 2009, 11:37 am · 7 Comments · posted by Earl Bloom, staff writer

Some observations, and questions that I hope will be answered during this baseball winter ….

– The Angels outfield/designated hitter spots will look different in 2010. Torii Hunter will be in center, and Juan Rivera will play left — and likely, DH more.91788303NM090_New_York_Yank

But Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu will be free agents, and Gary Matthews Jr. has asked out. Unfortunately, at this point the most likely one of the three to be on the Angels in 2010 is Matthews.

– Chone Figgins’ free agency likely opens up third base for Brandon Wood. Here’s hoping that means a full spring training, and then several months’ commitment to let Wood settle in. He won’t get a season-plus like Mike Schmidt did, but that was a long time ago.

– Scot Shields’ return to health should be an enormous boost for the bullpen. So would a decision to not retire by Darren Oliver. And Brian Fuentes, the most-maligned 50-save reliever in major-league history, will know the American League hitters better this time around.

– If Figgins leaves, the Angels need a leadoff hitter. Erick Aybar seems to be the most likely candidate, but he doesn’t walk much at all. Reggie Willits, if he were an everyday player, would be a strong candidate, but I am not sure if he is an everyday player.85139413CP018_LOS_ANGELES_A

My sleeper hunch? Howie Kendrick, and I really can’t put a finger on why I think it might happen. I covered Brian Downing as an Angels’ No. 1 hitter, so anything is possible. Mike Scioscia will find someone.

– Jered Weaver will take over as the No. 1 starter, followed by (order to be determined) Ervin Santana, Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders. Consider Kazmir to be the winter free-agent acquisition, in advance, so the fifth spot will likely be filled from within the organization.

Much of the money freed by the Angels free agents will be sucked up by the players eligible for arbitration. It would serve the franchise well if it could buy out Weaver’s arbitration years and beyond, as it did with Santana — but Weaver is a Scott Boras client, and they don’t pass on free-agency years very often.

If Abreu does not return, I expect the Angels to add one everyday player, via trade or free agency. Tony Reagins did a great job finding bargains last year, but it was a better market.

– Last, unrelated, thought: If Charlie Manuel had managed Sunday like it was 1969 and not 2009, and started Cliff Lee on three days rest, the World Series might have been different.

Joe Blanton wasn’t bad at all, considering the lineup he faced (and he would have faced them Monday, if not Sunday). But the only Phillie who can figure out C.C. Sabathia is Chase Utley, and it isn’t enough.

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 7 Comments

  • Mark Whicker, ocregister.com says:
    November 2, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    The hitters will know Fuentes better, too….As far as Lee goes, if it were 1969 and not 2009, he would have pitched frequently on three days’ rest. Since it’s 2009, he hasn’t. He’s not a Strat-O-Matic card. The Phillies are right to use him in his routine.

    Post Reply
    • TerryVan says:
      November 2, 2009 at 3:44 pm

      If it were 1969 the WS would be over already. Playing baseball in East/Northeast in November is crazy. something needs to be done. The first game between the Angels/Yankees was proof of that. Looking for Wood to get a legitimate shor at third regardless is Figgy resigns or not. Aybar came a long way this year with regards to patience at the plate and I think he’ll continue to improve. He can lead off if necessary

      Post Reply
  • J-Dizzle says:
    November 2, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    It’s also the World Series. He should have been pitching.

    Post Reply
  • Randy says:
    November 2, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    Great post Earl…up until the point where you brought up the World Series. All the replies are gonna be from armchair dugout managers (cough Mark cough)…and the post is really all about the Angels 2010 prospectve lineup.

    OK…so assuming that we lose Vlad (I hope so), what I would like to see is this:

    Aybar - SS
    Abreu - RF
    Morales - 1B
    Hunter - CF
    Kendrick - 2B
    Wood - 3B
    Mathis / Napoli - C
    Rivera - DH
    Willits - LF

    With Aybar leading off, he’ll get on base and terrorise the pitchers more than Figgy did anyway. He has just to focus more and bot have stoner moments. Abreu draws a walk better than anyone, so he is a natural hitting second. Morales had a break out yar in 2009 and I bet he will do very well moving up in the lineup to #3. Hunter should have batted cleanup in 09, but Scioscia in his infintie wisdome chose to bat him behind Vlad. Kendrick hit very well in the second half of 09, and keeping him near Hunter in the lineup is smart. I think Wood is destined for greatness - 2010 may be his breakout year, but batting him 6th for now is the right call. If he hits to his potential, I can see him moving up in the order. Mathis / Napoli at 7 - nothing more to be said. Quit worrying about who catches who better - play whoever is hitting better. Rivera had a great 1st half of 09 - but his second half stunk. He has moments of greatness in him - make him DH until his bat comes alive. Willts batting 9th is basically what Aybar did in 09 - it gives them a nother l;eadoff hitter at the bottom of the order.

    Post Reply
    • Mark Whicker, ocregister.com says:
      November 2, 2009 at 9:37 pm

      That wasn’t armchair managing or second guessing. The Phillies used Lee on normal rest and I thought they did the right thing.;

      Post Reply
  • Randy says:
    November 2, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    PS: I think Fuentes got a bum rap, and I would nopt play Gary Matthewes Jr. under any curcumstances. I don;t care how much money he makes - as far as I’m concerned, he rides the pine ofr 162 games. Lower his value so when his contract is up, he is worthless to other teams.

    Post Reply

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