Angels heading into spring training

By Mike DiGiovanna

Feb. 14, 2008 12 AM PT

Who’s new

Center fielder Torii Hunter, pitcher Jon Garland.

Who’s gone

Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, pitcher Bartolo Colon.

Biggest question

Who will be the starting shortstop? The Angels traded Gold Glove-winning veteran Cabrera to the Chicago White Sox for Garland with the intention of giving rangy, strong-armed Erick Aybar the job, but Aybar raised serious concerns by making 19 errors in 35 winter-league games in the Dominican Republic. That could open the door for utility infielder Maicer Izturis, a less spectacular but more dependable fielder who hit well in the clutch last season (.406 with runners in scoring position) but had durability issues, sitting out two months because of hamstring injuries.

Job seekers

Depending on how Manager Mike Scioscia configures his bench, power-hitting Juan Rivera, sidelined most of last season because of a broken leg, and 2007 darling Reggie Willits, a hard-nosed slap hitter who emerged as a force in the leadoff spot last May, could battle for a reserve outfield spot. If first baseman Kendry Morales, who has shown glimpses of his power potential over the last two years and has improved defensively, makes the team, there will be room for only one reserve outfielder, Rivera or Willits. Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis are expected to split time, almost evenly, behind the plate.

Keep your eye on

Ervin Santana. The 25-year-old right-hander enhanced his stock with a strong Dominican winter-league season, but he needs to carry that performance and confidence into spring training to reestablish himself as one of the game’s better young pitchers and redeem himself in the eyes of his coaches and teammates. Santana pouted and acted immaturely at times in 2007, occasionally lashing out at reporters during a season in which he was 7-14 with a 5.76 earned-run average and was demoted to triple-A Salt Lake in July. The Angels need him to show a little more mental toughness.

Reasons to be excited

The Angels added a dynamic player in Hunter, a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner who will bring legitimate power and speed to the middle of the order and charisma to the clubhouse. With Hunter pushing center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. to the corner outfield spots, Scioscia will be able to rotate right fielder Vladimir Guerrero and left fielder Garret Anderson through the designated-hitter spot, which should help both veterans avoid the nagging injuries that slowed them in recent years, especially at the end of the season. The bullpen, once again, looks strong and deep, and the offense, while still lacking power, has more weapons.

Reasons to be worried

Right-hander Kelvim Escobar, a Cy Young Award candidate for most of 2007 before fading in September, is expected to open the season on the disabled list because of discomfort in his shoulder. The Angels have the depth to absorb his loss for a few weeks -- instead of battling for the No. 5 spot, Santana and Joe Saunders will both make the team -- but another injury to a starter would tax their resources. No matter who wins the shortstop job, the Angels, who put a premium on defense, especially up the middle, will not have as strong a defensive infield as they’ve had in recent years.

Projected club

Lineup

Chone Figgins...3B

Gary Matthews Jr....RF

Vladimir Guerrero...DH

Garret Anderson...LF

Torii Hunter...CF

Casey Kotchman...1B

Howie Kendrick...2B

Mike Napoli...C

Erick Aybar...SS

Rotation