The Angels overcame a lot of adversity in 2009, including the April death of RHP Nick Adenhart and a rash of injuries throughout the first half of the season. And yet, they won their division for the fifth time in the past six seasons and reached the AL Championship Series for the second time in that span. This could be a winter of significant change, however, with seven players eligible for free agency, including key players such as OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero, RHP John Lackey and 3B Chone Figgins, who might have played their last games as Angels. BIGGEST NEEDS: The Angels' winter will focus on the group of in-house free agents including Lackey, Guerrero and Figgins. Whether the Angels can -- or want to -- retain them will determine the direction they go this offseason. Unlike last winter, however, when their fruitless pursuits of free agents 1B Mark Teixeira and LHP CC Sabathia came with fallback positions (OFs Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu, for example), the free agent market this winter is very thin behind the Angels' own players. FREE AGENTS: RHP John Lackey, 3B Chone Figgins, OF Vladimir Guerrero, OF Bobby Abreu, LHP Darren Oliver, RHP Kelvim Escobar, INF Robb Quinlan.
The Angels face an uphill battle to retain more than two of their free agents. Lackey is easily the best starting pitcher on the free agent market this season and should draw multiple offers as such. Figgins is another rare commodity on the market -- a true leadoff hitter. Guerrero's days as a middle-of-the-order force are waning, but he still hit 15 home runs and drove in 50 runs in limited playing time at DH this season. Abreu has said he would like to return to the Angels, but he is seeking the multiyear deal he was unable to get last winter. Oliver is considering retirement after another very effective season in relief. He and Abreu are the most likely to re-sign with the Angels.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Jered Weaver, LHP Joe Saunders, 2B Howie Kendrick, SS Erick Aybar, INF Maicer Izturis, C Mike Napoli, C Jeff Mathis, OF Reggie Willits.
The list of arbitration-eligible players includes most of the players who represent the new core of the team moving forward. The Angels moved quickly to sign RHP Ervin Santana to a multiyear deal last spring, buying out his arbitration years. They will likely try to do the same with players such as Saunders, Aybar, Kendrick, Napoli and Mathis. Coming off his best season, Weaver could be more difficult to lock up -- he is represented by agent Scott Boras.
IN LIMBO: INF Brandon Wood, OF Gary Matthews Jr.
Perennially the Angels' top prospect, Wood has spent the past three years splitting time between Class AAA and the majors and is finally out of minor league options. If Figgins leaves as a free agent, he might finally get his shot as the Angels' starting third baseman next season. If Figgins is re-signed, Wood's future becomes more uncertain. Matthews has asked to be traded or released this winter after being relegated to a reserve role the past two seasons since the signing of Torii Hunter to play center field. But Matthews still has two years and $23 million left on the contract he signed as a free agent before the 2007 season, making moving him in a trade problematic for the Angels.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Scot Shields (patellar tendon surgery on left knee in June 2009) is expected to be back to full strength in time for spring training.
RHP Dustin Moseley (hip surgery in August 2009) had already begun his rehab by the time the Angels were eliminated from the playoffs. He is expected to be back to full strength for spring training.
RHP Kelvim Escobar (right shoulder surgery in July 2008) has yet to fully recover. A free agent this winter, Escobar hopes to play winter ball to show he is healthy.
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