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.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
--General manager Tony Reagins said he has had no reason to rethink his stance on the Angels' decision not to pursue free agent OF Manny Ramirez. "I made my position clear," Reagins said. On more than one occasion this winter, Reagins has said Ramirez would not be an Angel.
--Tigres del Licey were eliminated from championship contention in the Caribbean Series, but SS Erick Aybar continued to play well. After batting .348 during the regular season, Aybar was 4-for-15 with a two doubles in the Tigres' first four Series games.
--INF Freddy Sandoval reached the Caribbean Series with his Mexican League team. Sandoval was 3-for-11 with two RBI in Mazatlan's first four Series games.
BY THE NUMBERS: 765 -- Runs scored by the Angels in 2008, 10th in the American League.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "If you're comparing what we're doing here to what the Braves did in the '90s, I think it's, first of all, very complimentary. Our goal is to win world championships by reaching one goal at a time. That's the only way you can go about it. And you have to keep getting better. I feel that we're on the right track to be perennial contenders, and that's the first step you have to take." -- Manager Mike Scioscia on the Angels' combination of regular-season success but postseason disappointment in recent years.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
The best regular season in franchise history was followed by a postseason result that has become all too common for the Angels recently. After the franchise's first 100-win season and fourth division title in the last five seasons, the Angels were ushered out of the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Red Sox for the third time in the last five seasons. The Angels took an unexpected approach to breaking that pattern of regular-season success and postseason disappointment -- they spent most of the offseason watching key players leave by free agency while adding only one significant part (LHP Brian Fuentes).
ARRIVALS: LHP Brian Fuentes (free agent from Rockies).
