Garret Anderson, Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Matthews Jr. benefit from rotation through outfield and designated hitter spots and remain sound all year, putting up their normal numbers and looking fresh in September and October. Howie Kendrick and Casey Kotchman fulfill their considerable offensive potential, giving the Angels one of their deepest and most potent lineups in years. Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis provide solid defense at shortstop, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar return from their injuries, and Scot Shields overcomes shoulder and forearm ailments to return to the form that made him one of baseball's best setup men from 2004 to 2006.
What Could Go Right
ANGELS PREVIEW
WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG
Lackey's elbow flares up periodically through the season and Escobar decides to have season-ending surgery, forcing General Manager Tony Reagins to trade some of his depth (Juan Rivera, Reggie Willits, Kendry Morales) for a starting pitcher and weakening the Angels should a position player or two get hurt. Hunter, pressured by the expectations from his five-year, $90-million contract, gets off to a slow start, as he did in 2003 after signing his first big deal with Minnesota. Shields' second-half struggles of 2007 carry into 2008, hurting a bullpen that for years has been a strength for the Angels.
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