Angels Will Apparently Stand Pat With Offense

Darin Erstad was recently told by Manager Mike Scioscia that he would be moving from first base back to center field, a switch that will open first base for prospect Casey Kotchman and will put a crimp in young third baseman Dallas McPherson's playing time.

Erstad's return to the outfield probably will push Chone Figgins, the Angels' versatile leadoff hitter, to third base and reduce McPherson, who is recovering from hip surgery, to a reserve third base and part-time designated hitter role.

The Angels were so confident McPherson would develop into a legitimate power hitter in 2005 they let Troy Glaus walk as a free agent. But McPherson, who hit 40 minor league home runs in 2004, was limited by injury to 61 games, batting .244 with eight homers.

Though McPherson should be ready for spring training -- he is throwing, taking ground balls and running at three-quarters speed -- that didn't prevent the Angels from acquiring backup third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo in December.

"That's only natural," McPherson said Tuesday, when asked if he felt the Angels had lost some confidence in him. "They want to make sure their bases are covered. All I can do is control the things I can control, and right now, that's getting healthy."

As McPherson's stock slid in 2005, Kotchman's soared. The 22-year-old batted .278 with a .352 on-base percentage, seven homers and 22 RBIs in only 126 at-bats.

"Kotchman showed some power that we thought was coming, but we didn't know it would come that quick," General Manager Bill Stoneman said. "The ball jumped off his bat really well, and he's always been a good first baseman. Players who play well get an opportunity; that's what it boils down to. It's not given, it's earned."

Kotchman won't be the only youngster on a team expected to contend for its third straight division title. The Angels let veteran catcher Bengie Molina go to give rookie Jeff Mathis a shot.

Stoneman's faith in his farm system, which also features highly touted infielders Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick and Kendry Morales, is why Boston slugger Manny Ramirez and Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada, the subjects of intense trade speculation, don't appear Anaheim-bound.