The Angels touted first baseman Kendry Morales as their fall-back position should Teixeira leave via free agency. Now Morales will have those big shoes to fill.

A .329 hitter in parts of four minor league seasons since he fled Cuba and signed with the Angels, Morales prepared for his big opportunity with an outstanding winter ball season in the Dominican Republic.

Morales had a .404 batting average and .778 slugging percentage in 26 regular-season games for Gigantes del Cibao.

The Angels were in a similar search for offense during the 2006 season when Juan Rivera stepped up and posted career highs in batting average (.310), home runs (23) and RBI (85).

Rivera's career was sidetracked by a broken leg that cost him nearly all of the 2007 season. But the Angels elected to sign Rivera to a three-year, $12 million contract this winter and let the best hitter in franchise history, Anderson, leave. Rivera will pick up most of the at-bats left behind.

Third baseman Brandon Wood has been the Angels' top power prospect since a 43-home run season in Class A in 2005. He has had brief major league exposure in each of the last two seasons and will get a chance in the spring to win an everyday job.

WHERE, WHEN: Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 vs. Chicago White Sox.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 3B Brandon Wood has been one of the most highly regarded power prospects in the minor leagues the last few seasons. After getting brief tastes of the majors each of the last two seasons, Wood will get an extended look this spring with an opportunity to win an everyday job and fill some of the offensive void left behind when the Angels were unable to re-sign first baseman Mark Teixeira. If Wood wins the third base job, Chone Figgins could move to left field or into a roving utility role.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: 1B Kendry Morales has big shoes to fill with the departure of Teixeira. A .329 hitter in parts of four minor league seasons, Morales might be a good major league hitter some day. If that day isn't 2009, fans will not let the Angels forget how Teixeira got away.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Mike Scioscia, whose 803-655 record is the best in franchise history, signed a contract extension this winter that could keep him in the Angels' dugout through the 2018 season. He led the Angels to their first World Series title in 2002. Since then, though, the Angels' regular-season success under Scioscia has not translated to the postseason. They have won only one playoff series since 2002.