Anaheim Angels 2003 Finish: 77-85, 3rd AL West	Select Team Angels Astros Athletics Blue Jays Braves Brewers Cardinals Cubs Devil Rays Diamondbacks Dodgers Expos Giants Indians Mariners Marlins Mets Orioles Padres Phillies Pirates Rangers Red Sox Reds Rockies Royals Tigers Twins White Sox Yankees

Troy Glaus Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Batting Order
SS	David Eckstein Needs to recover from an injury plagued season.
1B	Darrin Erstad Outfield defense hamstrung by hamstring.
CF	Garret Anderson Became franchise's all-time hits leader last season.
RF	Vladimir Guerrero Career .323 hitter; will hit 50 HRs before too long.
3B	Troy Glaus Didn't play after July 22 because of shoulder injury.
DH	Tim Salmon Becomes the full-time DH with addition of Guillen.
LF	Jose Guillen Emotional and vocal player is coming off his best season.
C	Bengie Molina Should be fully recovered from broken wrist.
2B	Adam Kennedy Signed three-year contract in the off-season.
Rotation
RHP	Bartolo Colon Gives the team a legitimate No. 1 starter.
LHP	Jarrod Washburn Made 32 starts and topped 200 innings; gave up 34 home runs.
RHP	Kelvim Escobar Strong finish with Toronto won him a three-year contract.
RHP	Ramon Ortiz Opponents batted .287 off him to go with a 5.20 ERA.
RHP	John Lackey Had some growing pains in his first full season.
Bullpen
RHP	Troy Percival Has remained effective despite degenerative hip condition.
RHP	Brendan Donnelly A 0.38 ERA at the break earned him a spot on the All-Star team.
RHP	Ben Weber After three solid seasons, is getting the respect he deserves.
RHP	Francisco Rodriguez Former World Series wunderkind is a closer-in-waiting.
RHP	Scot Shields Valuable swingman had a 2.85 ERA in 44 games.
Prospects
RHP	Bobby Jenks Nuke LaLoosh clone can hit 102 mph.
1B	Casey Kotchman Can't-miss hitter and potential Gold Glover.
C	Jeff Mathis A premium athlete with strong hands and good makeup.

The Angels failed to keep the World Series euphoria alive. Injuries and a spotty pitching staff doomed them to a 77-85 season. But new owner Arte Moreno came through on his promise to boost the payroll. The Angels signed Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar to anchor their rotation and then shocked the baseball world by landing coveted free agent Vladimir Guerrero to bolster an already potent lineup.

They needed quality innings. They had money to spend. They acted. The Angels signed Escobar to a three-year, $18.75 million contract and then snapped up their primary target of the winter, giving Colon a four-year deal worth $51 million. The additions will take some pressure off Jarrod Washburn, John Lackey and Ramon Ortiz, all of whom are coming off up-and-down seasons. Veteran Aaron Sele is under contract for one more year but is not guaranteed a spot in the rotation. Rookie Chris Bootcheck is waiting in the wings, and reliever Scot Shields proved last year that he is a solid option.

Even if closer Troy Percival is a little rickety, this is one of the game's elite relief units. Ben Weber, Brendan Donnelly and Francisco Rodriguez are tough against left-handers as well as righties. Any of the three could step in if Percival's degenerative hip condition becomes an issue again. Shields was a pleasant surprise in a swingman role. Rodriguez slipped a bit in his first full season, but the experience should benefit him this year. Donnelly had minor elbow and knee surgeries after the season and is expected to be fully recovered when he reports to camp. Former Rule V draft pick Derrick Turnbow has climbed his way back from an elbow fracture and is throwing hard again.

Adam Kennedy improved from a marginal defensive player to a potential Gold Glover over three seasons. As a result, the team rewarded him with a three-year, $8.85 million contract. Kennedy has spent most of his career on the bench against left-handers but has a chance to be the everyday man this season. David Eckstein had his worst season (.252, 31 RBIs) in Anaheim, and a hamstring injury didn't help matters. He always plays the game smart and hard, but because of his size, he always has to prove himself. Alfredo Amezaga is another mighty mite who surprises with his speed and skills.

Troy Glaus missed the final two months with a partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He opted for rehab instead of surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training. Glaus hit just .248 in 91 games before the injury forced him from the lineup. His health is vital, especially now that Scott Spiezio is playing for the division-rival Mariners. Glaus once was touted as a Gold Glove third baseman but he hasn't proven he can play in the same class as Oakland's Eric Chavez. Former Gold Glove center fielder Darrin Erstad will move to first base to open an outfield spot for Guerrero. Erstad hit a career-low .252 last year and spent two stints on the disabled list with right hamstring tendonitis.

The surprising addition of Guerrero gives the Angles one of the most dangerous offensive outfields in the game. Guerrero, who will take over in right, can be penciled in for at least 40 HRs and 120 RBIs -- as long as he remains healthy. Guerrero, however, isn't the only star in the Angels' outfield. Underappreciated for years in his own backyard, Garret Anderson is now recognized as one of the game's finest players. He has collected at least 183 hits in each of the past seven seasons and has four straight 100-RBI seasons. Anderson is a free agent after the season. Jose Guillen hit .311 and had 27 homers between the Reds and A's last year. At 27, he is entering his prime and also gives the team a significant defensive upgrade in right field. His outfield arm consistently is rated among the strongest in the major leagues. Jeff DaVanon received a ton of playing time last year and didn't embarrass himself. He is a prime athlete and switch-hitter with power from both sides. The Angels could do a lot worse.

The coaching staff calls Bengie Molina "El Cerebro" (Spanish for "The Brain"), and for good reason. He handles pitchers as well as anyone in the game and picked up his second straight Gold Glove award last year. Molina also batted .281 and was having his best offensive season before he broke his wrist in a collision at the plate in September. He is expected to be fully recovered by spring training. Brother Jose Molina has blossomed into a fine receiver as well, but struggled with the bat.

Tim Salmon becomes a full-time designated hitter with the addition of Guillen. Salmon remains productive and a fan favorite, though at nearly $10 million per season, the Angels will be glad when his contract expires after 2005. The bench gets a facelift following the departure of Shawn Wooten, Benji Gil, Eric Owens and Brad Fullmer. Speedy Chone Figgins could see time as a reserve outfielder. Robb Quinlan, who split time between Anaheim and Triple-A Salt Lake is an option at first if Erstad cannot stay healthy. Utilityman Shane Halter, a former Tiger, signed a one-year deal in the off-season.

The Angels' 77-85 season didn't take any luster off manager Mike Scioscia's reputation. He is respected in his own clubhouse and admired by opposing skippers, and his calming influence sets a tone of confidence. Pitching coach Bud Black is one of the game's top managerial candidates, but his desire to stay close to his family kept him in Anaheim for another year. Bench coach Joe Maddon earned an interview with the Red Sox and is starting to earn recognition for his preparation and game management skills. General manager Bill Stoneman signed an extension, and owner Moreno is running the team like one big, happy family. It's a stark difference from the front-office vibe a few miles north in Los Angeles.

Glaus, Erstad, Eckstein and Molina missed significant time last season, and the pitching came back to earth with a thud. The addition of Guerrero, Colon and Escobar should make a dramatic difference, and with the blessings of health, the Angels should be a team to watch in their first full season under Moreno.

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