Position-by-Position Breakdown

INFIELD

On defense, the Angels should be solid on the right side with first baseman Darin Erstad and second baseman Adam Kennedy, but they won’t have as much range on the left side with shortstop David Eckstein and third baseman Troy Glaus.

Eckstein will be expected to provide a spark in the leadoff spot, and if he and Erstad consistently get on base for the big hitters behind them, the Angel offense should be very productive.

OUTFIELD

New right fielder Vladimir Guerrero has tremendous range and a strong arm, new left fielder Jose Guillen has a cannon for an arm, and Garret Anderson, who is switching from left field to center, has extensive experience at his new position and should develop into a superb defender, once he regains his feel for the spot.

Offensively, this could be the best outfield in baseball: Guerrero hit .300 or better and had at least 30 home runs, 100 runs batted in and 100 runs for five consecutive seasons, 1998 to 2002; Anderson hit .299 and averaged 30 homers and 120 RBIs the last four years, and Guillen combined to hit .311 with 31 homers and 86 RBIs for Cincinnati and Oakland last season.

CATCHING

Starter Bengie Molina has a hamstring strain that could slow him at the start of the season. The two-time Gold Glove award winner has earned the confidence of his pitchers with his excellent play-calling, a strong arm and an ability to block balls in the dirt. He’s also a clutch hitter with decent power.

Jose Molina, Bengie’s brother and backup catcher, lost 10 to 15 pounds over the winter and is in excellent shape.

Newcomer Josh Paul impressed Angel coaches so much this spring that Manager Mike Scioscia decided to open with three catchers.

STARTING PITCHING

Bartolo Colon, who signed a four-year, $51-million deal this winter, gives the Angels the dominant, front-of-the-rotation starter they have lacked for years.

Left-hander Jarrod Washburn, slowed by a shoulder injury in 2003, is back at full strength, and the life on his fastball that was lacking last season has returned. Kelvim Escobar, who signed a three-year, $18.75-million deal this winter, can overpower batters with his fastball and keep them off balance with a wide array of breaking and off-speed pitches, and he should be a more-than-capable No. 3 starter.

Ramon Ortiz (7.23 earned-run average) and John Lackey (9.00 ERA) will have to pitch far better than they did this spring to keep the Angels in playoff contention.

BULLPEN

Closer Troy Percival, sixth among active relievers with 283 saves, is back for his 10th season, the strained right gluteus and sore right hip that sent him to the disabled list last season fully healed, and his fastball is as dominant as ever.

The Angels, however, will open without All-Star setup man Brendan Donnelly, who is out indefinitely because of complications from the broken nose he suffered March 9. Francisco Rodriguez, the Angels’ best pitcher this spring, will move into the primary setup role, with middle reliever Ben Weber and long reliever Scot Shields moving into more prominent late-game roles.

Aaron Sele, the odd man out of the rotation competition, will have a difficult transition to long relief.

BENCH

There is plenty of versatility with utility players Chone Figgins, who can play all three outfield positions, shortstop and second base and is the fastest player on the team, and Shane Halter, who can play all eight positions and has decent power from the right side.

MANAGEMENT

Several new Angels, such as Guillen and Escobar, called this spring’s the best camp they’ve ever been a part of, which is a reflection of Scioscia’s ability to blend new personalities with his established core and create the chemistry many believe is necessary for success.

General Manager Bill Stoneman showed he’s willing to make tough moves -- he released inconsistent pitcher Kevin Appier last July with almost $16 million remaining on the right-hander’s contract -- and as long as he has owner Arte Moreno’s financial backing, he should be able to keep the Angels in contention for years to come.

-- Mike DiGiovanna