Santana figures to get a big raise after his 16-7 season during which he finished among the AL leaders in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and ERA. Figgins is in a more tenuous position after a subpar season in 2008. He could become a chip the Angels use in trade talks. The Angels are likely to make offers to Napoli, Izturis and Quinlan and get them re-signed before any arbitration hearings. Oliver accepted the Angels' offer of arbitration after filing for free agency.
IN LIMBO: The Angels made decisions on three players with club options in 2009, picking up the options on OF Vladimir Guerrero and RHP John Lackey, but buying out the option of OF Garret Anderson and allowing him to become a free agent. Look for Lackey to get a contract extension sometime in 2009, but Guerrero's skills appear to be in decline and the Angels could have a difficult decision ahead with him.
INF Maicer Izturis (left thumb surgery in August 2008) was playing winter ball and was fully recovered from surgery.
OF Vladimir Guerrero (left knee surgery in October 2008) should be fully recovered in time for Opening Day.
RHP Kelvim Escobar (right shoulder surgery in July 2008) is not expected back until midseason 2009.
C Mike Napoli (right shoulder surgery in October 2008) should be fully recovered in time for Opening Day.
OF Gary Matthews Jr. (left knee surgery in October 2008) could miss the first month of the 2009 season.
--RHP John Lackey has expressed interest in playing for Team USA in next spring's second World Baseball Classic. Lackey said he has planned his offseason workouts in order to be ready for the early spring start necessitated by the WBC. Last spring, Lackey opened the season on the disabled list with a strained triceps muscle in his pitching arm.
--The Angels tendered contract offers to all five of their arbitration-eligible players before the recent deadline -- C Mike Napoli, RHP Ervin Santana, INF Robb Quinlan, INF Chone Figgins and INF Maicer Izturis. LHP Darren Oliver is also eligible for salary arbitration after the free agent accepted the Angels' offer of arbitration earlier this month.
--C Mike Napoli has expressed an interest in playing for the Italian team in the World Baseball Classic, according to GM Tony Reagins. The Angels might be hesitant to let Napoli participate. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in October.
--SS Erick Aybar continues to enjoy an outstanding winter ball season in the Dominican Republic. Through 36 games, Aybar was third in the league with a .355 batting average, tied for fourth in hits (55) and eighth in runs scored (31). Aybar has not been suspended for his part in a benches-clearing brawl.