Anderson Isn’t Offended

All winter long the Angels searched for a power hitter to boost an offense that struggled through much of 2005 and was more arid than the Phoenix area -- 130 days without a drop of rain as of Saturday -- during the American League championship series loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Implied in the Angels’ pursuit was an admission that what they had in the middle of their order was not enough, that more was needed to protect No. 3 hitter Vladimir Guerrero -- not exactly a ringing endorsement of cleanup batter Garret Anderson.

But Anderson, the veteran left fielder whose performance affects the pitches Guerrero sees, took no offense.

“What they do upstairs has nothing to do with me; it doesn’t bother me at all,” Anderson said. “There’s nothing wrong with the organization trying to firm up the offense or pitching staff. ... It’s not a reflection on me or anyone else. That’s just what they tried to take care of this winter.”

Having failed to sign free agent Paul Konerko or trade for Manny Ramirez or Miguel Tejada, the Angels will rely on Anderson, Juan Rivera and Casey Kotchman to provide a balance of power to a team that ranked 10th in the league in home runs and ninth in slugging percentage last season.

The Angels also ranked ninth in on-base percentage, so to win their third straight division title, they’ll need to maximize scoring opportunities by stealing bases -- they led the major leagues with 161 last season -- going from first to third on singles, advancing runners and hitting in the clutch.

“We’re not going to hit home runs or get on base at the pace of some teams, but our situational hitting and our ability to create on the basepaths have been an equalizer for us,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We have to have that style with these guys. If we don’t, then whatever on-base [success] we have will die on the vine, and you’re going to start getting really stagnant.”

A big season from Anderson, who averaged 30 home runs and 120 runs batted in from 2000 to 2003, would address much that ails the Angels, but an arthritic condition in his upper back and persistent knee injuries helped rob Anderson of some of his power the last two years.

That doesn’t mean Anderson, 33, can’t be an effective cleanup hitter, though.

“You don’t need to hit 30-40 home runs to drive in runs,” Anderson said. “Home runs are overrated. I’d take 10 home runs and 130 RBIs, and that wouldn’t bother me in the least. People just like to see the ball flying over the fence.”

Anderson drove in 92 runs despite hitting only eight homers in 1997. Last season, he hit a career-low .283 with 17 homers and 96 RBIs in 142 games.

“He’s obviously a huge piece to what we need in the middle of the lineup ... but it’s not on one guy’s shoulders,” Scioscia said. “No matter what we need offensively, we need it from more than one guy. Garret knows what the team needs from him. The key is keeping him healthy.”

Anderson is avoiding the drills and exercises that cause tendinitis in his knee to flare up, and Scioscia may use Anderson more at designated hitter in an effort to pace him. Anderson is no longer taking anti-inflammatory medication for his upper back and said he feels strong this spring.

He appears to have lost 10-15 pounds, but Anderson said that was from eating healthier over the winter; it wasn’t a conscious effort to ease stress on his knees.

“I lose weight every winter because I eat better and I don’t eat out,” Anderson said. “My last meal of the day is at 6 p.m. instead of 11:30 p.m.”

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Rivera and Edgardo Alfonzo have decided to play in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela.

Rivera could start in center field and Alfonzo could see considerable playing time at second base.