ANGEL GLANCE
* Who’s new: Pitchers Ismael Valdes and Pat Rapp, designated hitter Jose Canseco, first baseman Wally Joyner, shortstop Wilmy Caceres, catcher Jorge Fabregas and outfielder Kimera Bartee.
* Who’s gone: Pitchers Seth Etherton, Kent Mercker, Mark Petkovsek and Scott Karl, outfielder Ron Gant, shortstop Kevin Stocker and catcher Matt Walbeck.
* Biggest question of the spring: Who’s on first? Joyner, utility player Scott Spiezio and rookie Larry Barnes will compete for the first-base job. Barnes is the best of the trio defensively but has to hit to win the job. Spiezio made strides in his limited time at first last season and has some pop but was sporadic offensively. Joyner has the most experience. He is a competent defender who makes consistent contact and could hit second or down in the order.
* Job seekers: Caceres, acquired from Cincinnati for Etherton this winter, will push Benji Gil for the shortstop spot. At least four pitchers--Tim Belcher, Matt Wise, Scott Schoeneweis and Brian Cooper--will compete for the final rotation spot. Mike Holtz will be pushed by Mark Lukasiewicz and Juan Alvarez for the left-handed relief job.
* Keep your eye on: Barnes. Some have compared him to J.T. Snow defensively. Barnes isn’t incredibly gifted athletically, but he has excellent instincts, hands, and is smooth around the bag. Though he hit more than 20 home runs only once in six minor league seasons, he could be a nice fit at the bottom of the order and a huge boost defensively if he wins the first-base job.
* Reasons to be excited: Young stars Darin Erstad and Troy Glaus and 2000 rookies Bengie Molina and Adam Kennedy are a year older and wiser. A team that shattered a franchise record with 236 home runs last season should be just as potent offensively.
* Reasons to be worried: There is no dominant pitcher in a rotation that enters camp with many questions.
* Projected lineup: 1. Erstad, center field; 2. Joyner, first base; 3. Glaus, third base; 4. Tim Salmon, right field; 5. Garret Anderson, left field; 6. Jose Canseco, designated hitter; 7. Molina, catcher; 8. Kennedy, second base; 9. Gil, shortstop.
* Projected rotation: Valdes, Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn, Pat Rapp, Tim Belcher.
* Projected bullpen: Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Al Levine, Mike Fyhrie, Ben Weber, Mike Holtz.
* Projected closer: Troy Percival.
* Projected payroll: $48 million (includes Mo Vaughn’s $11 million, most of which will be paid by insurance).
