Spring training site

Tempe, Ariz.

2009 record

97-65, won AL West, advanced to AL Championship Series

Manager

Mike Scioscia, 11th season

New faces

DH Hideki Matsui (free agent, Yankees), RHP Joel Pineiro (free agent, Cardinals), RHP Fernando Rodney (free agent, Tigers), RHP Brian Stokes (trade, Mets)

Biggest offseason acquisition

Matsui killed the ball in the postseason for the Yankees, and now he's replacing Vladimir Guerrero in the lineup for the Angels.


It's a pretty tall order for a 35-year-old with a history of injuries.

Gone but not forgotten

DH Vladimir Guerrero (free agent, to Rangers), RHP John Lackey (free agent, to Red Sox), 3B Chone Figgins (free agent, to Mariners), RHP Kelvim Escobar (free agent, to Mets), OF Gary Matthews Jr. (trade, to Mets), LHP Darren Oliver (free agent, to Mariners), RHP Dustin Moseley (not tendered, to Yankees), RHP Jose Arredondo (free agent, to Reds), RHP Shane Loux (free agent, to Astros).

Best spring training battle

It looks as if Erick Aybar, a breakout candidate at shortstop, could become the leadoff hitter. Maicer Izturis might be a more natural fit there, but as the super-utility guy, he's not in the lineup every day.

Projected lineup

• SS Erick Aybar
• RF Bobby Abreu
• 1B Kendry Morales
• CF Torii Hunter
• DH Hideki Matsui
• LF Juan Rivera
• 2B Howie Kendrick
• C Mike Napoli
• 3B Brandon Wood

Projected starting rotation

• RHP Jared Weaver
• LHP Joe Saunders
• RHP Ervin Santana
• LHP Scott Kazmir
• RHP Joel Pineiro

Projected bullpen

• RHP Brian Fuentes(closer)

• RHP Fernando Rodney
• RHP Scot Shields
• RHP Kevin Jepsen
• RHP Jason Bulger
• RHP Brian Stokes
• RHP Matt Palmer

Biggest strength

If Scott Kazmir and Ervin Santana pitch they way they did in 2008, the rotation - even without John Lackey - is every bit as good as it has been the last few years.

Glaring weakness

There's a real lack of power in the batting order, with lots of line-drive bats and not many power ones. There might be any player on the roster who will hit 30 homers (Kendry Morales hit a surprising 34 last year.). But every player in the lineup is capable of hitting for a high average, and Mike Scioscia manages a National League-style of game and has a National League style of team. They will have to be pesky, as they usually are, to be great.