Angels 2002

Who’s New

RHPs Kevin Appier and Aaron Sele; LHP Dennis Cook; designated hitter Brad Fullmer.

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Who’s Gone

RHPs Brian Cooper, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Pat Rapp and Ismael Valdes; LHP Mike Holtz; first baseman Mo Vaughn; team president Tony Tavares.

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Biggest Question of Spring

After seasons ruined by injuries and ineffectiveness last year, can Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon recover health and productivity at the plate this spring? If not, given the lack of offensive depth, the Angels can raise the white flag on opening day.

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Job Seekers

The roster is remarkably set, particularly for a team that finished 41 games out of first place last season. But youngsters Matt Wise, John Lackey and Chris Bootcheck each hope to throw well enough to establish himself as first choice to replace a starting pitcher in case of injury.

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Keep Your Eyes On

Minor league shortstops Alfredo Amezaga and Brian Specht. The Angels are better off with David Eckstein at second base than shortstop, and the sooner one of these minor league shortstops appears ready for the majors, the sooner the team can decide between Eckstein and Adam Kennedy at second. Amezaga was last year’s phenom and could be ready this summer; Specht could be this year’s phenom and might be ready next year.

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Reasons to Be Excited

The Angel pitching rotation--Jarrod Washburn, Sele, Appier, Ramon Ortiz and Scott Schoeneweis--presents a legitimate starter each time out. All won at least 10 games last season, all but Washburn pitched at least 200 innings, and all but Schoeneweis posted a winning record. Closer Troy Percival saved 39 games last season and set a club record for save percentage. Troy Glaus hit 89 home runs and Garret Anderson drove in 240 runs over the past two seasons.

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Reasons to Be Worried

The offensive margin for error is perilously close to zero, with no significant help expected this year from the minor leagues. Fullmer is expected to close the hole at DH, but Erstad and Salmon must rebound to power an offense expected to generate below-average production at first base, second base and shortstop. Seldom do first basemen bat seventh, as Scott Spiezio and Shawn Wooten are likely to do.

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Projected Opening-Day Payroll

$60 million.

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Bill Shaikin