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 hearing.
IN LIMBO: LF Garret Anderson, whose contract option for 2009 was declined by the Angels, holds nearly every franchise record for a position player and still has some skill (as shown by his .335 batting average after the All-Star break this season). The Angels have 15 days after the end of the World Series to negotiate with him.
INF Maicer Izturis (left thumb surgery in August 2008) is expected to recover in time for spring training.
OF Vladimir Guerrero (left knee surgery in October 2008) is expected to be ready for spring training.
C Mike Napoli (sore right shoulder) was scheduled to have minor surgery on Oct. 31. He should be ready for spring training with no limitations.
OF Gary Matthews Jr. (left knee surgery in October 2008) faces a four- to six-month recovery period, so it is likely he will not be ready to play when the 2009 season opens.
RHP Kelvim Escobar (right shoulder surgery in July 2008) is not expected back until midseason 2009.
--OF Torii Hunter was named to the 2008 AL Gold Glove Award team. It is the eighth consecutive year Hunter has earned the honor. Only two outfielders in baseball history have won the award more often in the American League -- Ken Griffey Jr. and Hall of Famer Al Kaline (10 times each). Hunter is the first Angels outfielder to win a Gold Glove since Darin Erstad in 2002. Hunter did not make an error in 354 chances during the regular season.
--RHP Francisco Rodriguez was named to The Sporting News' All-Star team. Rodriguez broke the single-season saves record last season with 62 in 69 save opportunities.
--RHP Francisco Rodriguez was the last of the Angels' six eligible free agents to file. He joins RHP Jon Garland, 1B Mark Teixeira, OF Juan Rivera, LHP Darren Oliver and OF Garret Anderson (whose option was bought out by the Angels) on the open market.
--GM Tony Reagins would not rule out the possibility of the Angels being in the bidding for the two most attractive players on the free agent market -- 1B Mark Teixeira and LHP CC Sabathia. "But we're going to act reasonably and responsibly," Reagins said.
--The Angels could be in for a big haul of draft picks if they don't re-sign their free agents. Three of their six free agents (Mark Teixeira, Darren Oliver and Francisco Rodriguez) were ranked as Type A free agents. Two (Garret Anderson and Jon Garland) rank as Type B free agents. Teams losing a Type A free agent receive the signing team's first-round pick and a supplemental pick as compensation. Compensation for Type B free agents is just a supplemental pick.
