--INF Maicer Izturis reached a one-year contract agreement, avoiding arbitration. The two sides agreed on a $1.6 million deal. Izturis was seeking $1.89 million. The 28-year-old hit .269 in 78 games last season before his season was ended by a thumb injury. Izturis underwent surgery and returned to play in the Venezuelan Winter League, batting .340 in 18 games.
--The agreement with Izturis leaves the Angels with only one arbitration case remaining -- RHP Ervin Santana. Santana is seeking $4.325 million after winning 16 games in 2008. The Angels are offering $3.6 million.
--RHP Ervin Santana pitched five shutout innings in the clinching game and SS Erick Aybar reached base six times on three hits and three walks as Tigres del Licey beat Gigantes del Cibao for the Dominican Winter League championship. Licey qualifies for the Caribbean Series with the victory.
--1B-DH Kendry Morales was apparently one of several Gigantes players who refused to play in protest over some controversial incidents during the Dominican Winter League championship series. "There were some circumstances that didn't sit well with some players," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said.
--INF Freddy Sandoval's winter-ball team has also qualified for the Caribbean Series. Sandoval played second and third base for Mazatlan, the Mexican Pacific League champion, batting .286 with 24 RBI in 35 games.
BY THE NUMBERS: 34-16 -- Angels' record in 2008 when Maicer Izturis started at shortstop.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We'll look at every situation. But at this point, we're content to go into spring training with the club we have." -- Angels general manager Tony Reagins on likelihood of team signing a free agent before the opening of camp.
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The Angels thought they had put together a team capable of winning the team's second championship. It didn't work out that way, and now they are faced with some difficult contract decisions. While the roster that won 100 games for the first time in franchise history might be worth keeping together for another run at the World Series, financial pressures make that all but impossible.
ARRIVAL: LHP Brian Fuentes (free agent from Rockies), RHP Jon Garland (free agent, signed with Diamondbacks).
DEPARTURES: RHP Francisco Rodriguez (free agent, signed with Mets), 1B Mark Teixeira (free agent, signed with Yankees).
FREE AGENT: OF Garret Anderson.
