Angels Will Apparently Stand Pat With Offense

The Angels have all but abandoned their pursuit of a middle-of-the-order bat to bolster their sagging offense, but their 2006 lineup will still have a new look that the Angels hope will give them a little more pop.

Darin Erstad was recently told by Manager Mike Scioscia that he would be moving from first base back to center field, a switch that will open first base for prospect Casey Kotchman and will put a crimp in young third baseman Dallas McPherson’s playing time.

Erstad’s return to the outfield probably will push Chone Figgins, the Angels’ versatile leadoff hitter, to third base and reduce McPherson, who is recovering from hip surgery, to a reserve third base and part-time designated hitter role.

The Angels were so confident McPherson would develop into a legitimate power hitter in 2005 they let Troy Glaus walk as a free agent. But McPherson, who hit 40 minor league home runs in 2004, was limited by injury to 61 games, batting .244 with eight homers.

Though McPherson should be ready for spring training -- he is throwing, taking ground balls and running at three-quarters speed -- that didn’t prevent the Angels from acquiring backup third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo in December.

“That’s only natural,” McPherson said Tuesday, when asked if he felt the Angels had lost some confidence in him. “They want to make sure their bases are covered. All I can do is control the things I can control, and right now, that’s getting healthy.”

As McPherson’s stock slid in 2005, Kotchman’s soared. The 22-year-old batted .278 with a .352 on-base percentage, seven homers and 22 RBIs in only 126 at-bats.

“Kotchman showed some power that we thought was coming, but we didn’t know it would come that quick,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “The ball jumped off his bat really well, and he’s always been a good first baseman. Players who play well get an opportunity; that’s what it boils down to. It’s not given, it’s earned.”

Kotchman won’t be the only youngster on a team expected to contend for its third straight division title. The Angels let veteran catcher Bengie Molina go to give rookie Jeff Mathis a shot.

Stoneman’s faith in his farm system, which also features highly touted infielders Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick and Kendry Morales, is why Boston slugger Manny Ramirez and Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada, the subjects of intense trade speculation, don’t appear Anaheim-bound.

“We were involved in some trade talks, but the cost in talent was a little too high for us,” Stoneman said. “After missing out [on free-agent Paul Konerko] we looked at ourselves and said, hey, the best answer is probably right here.

“It’s not the glitzy thing that makes headlines, but giving opportunities to younger players -- and we have some guys who are not far away -- is the better way to go for the long-term health of the organization.”

Many believe moving to the outfield won’t benefit Erstad’s long-term health -- he often dives into gaps and crashes into walls, and some believe his ultra-aggressive approach contributed to persistent hamstring injuries in 2003 and 2004. But Erstad has no plans to ease up.

“I’m confident I’ll be able to stay healthy, but as far as running into things, time will tell,” Erstad said. “Hopefully you’re a little wiser picking your spots, but I don’t know, maybe not. Who knows?”

Erstad then chuckled at the absurdity of what, for him, is a foreign thought -- playing defense timidly.

“Who am I kidding?” he said. “I’m going to play to win and do whatever it takes.”