Shortstop job could be shared

TEMPE, Ariz. -- As much as Mike Scioscia would prefer to have one player -- Erick Aybar or Maicer Izturis -- emerge as his starting shortstop, the manager has not ruled out a possible time-share at the position.

“They may play 80 games each during the season,” Scioscia said. “There’s nothing we’re ruling out at this point.”

There are benefits to having continuity at one of baseball’s most important defensive positions, a spot Orlando Cabrera filled so capably for the Angels for three years before being traded to the Chicago White Sox last November.

“It’s preferable at any position to have one guy win the job, a guy who has the durability to do it, because the familiarity is there with the team,” Scioscia said.

“They start to learn each other’s moves, and as they play year in and year out, they become more in sync with each other, and you have a more polished, finished product. But that’s not always the way teams are built.”

The 27-year-old Izturis, a switch-hitting utility infielder the last three seasons, is considered the more consistent, dependable shortstop, a guy who will make all the routine plays.

Izturis would bring more offense -- he has better plate discipline and hits well in the clutch, batting .407 with runners in scoring position last season -- but he has had durability issues, having missed 13 weeks because of hamstring injuries in 2006 and 2007.

The 24-year-old Aybar, also a switch-hitter, has more upside because of his better range, stronger arm and ability to make spectacular plays, but he is not as consistent or dependable defensively as Izturis. Aybar struggled in the Dominican winter league, committing 17 errors in 58 games.

“A guy like Aybar is going to bring a different package than Orlando did,” Scioscia said. “There might be some growing pains, but he’s ready to step in and play at a high level.”

Will the position come down to a choice between Izturis’ consistency and Aybar’s potential?

“I think there are some dynamics Izzy will bring and some that Aybar will bring,” Scioscia said.

“But one thing they both have to bring is that continuity and consistency.”

Second baseman Howie Kendrick played with Aybar in the minor leagues and with Izturis in the big leagues, and he’s confident the position will be in good hands regardless of who is playing it.

“Aybar has a great arm, he’s going to make those spectacular plays and the routine plays, and the same can be said about Izturis,” Kendrick said.

“They both can go in the hole and get the ball or go to the middle and get rid of the ball quickly. Those guys are going to be very capable of doing the same things that some of the other guys in the league have been doing.”

Whoever starts at shortstop will probably bat ninth in the order, easing any pressure to produce offensively. Which is how Scioscia wants it.

“First and foremost,” he said, “the job will be based on who’s going to bring us a [high] level of play on the defensive end.”

Tim Salmon, a former right fielder, and Don Baylor, who won the American League most valuable player award while leading the Angels to their first division title in 1979, are scheduled to be in camp as guest instructors Tuesday through Saturday. . . . The Angels will play a five-inning intrasquad game Wednesday before opening Cactus League play Thursday against Texas in Tempe Diablo Stadium.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com