Quinlan facing unsure spring

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The only thing Robb Quinlan is guaranteed of this season is the $1.05 million he will receive in the second year of the two-year, $1.85-million deal he signed before the 2007 season.

Otherwise, the Angels utility player, a 30-year-old corner infielder and outfielder who made several key contributions to the team’s three division titles in the last four years, has no idea how much he will play or even if he’ll make the team.

“The contract makes you feel more secure; it’s obviously nice to have,” said Quinlan, who had his best year in 2006, when he hit .321 with nine home runs and 32 runs batted in. “But I want to play, that’s the bottom line, and I want to be in this organization.”

Quinlan has hit left-handers so well -- he has a .309 career average against them -- that Manager Mike Scioscia usually found a way to get him in the lineup against them, usually at first base, sometimes at third base, and occasionally in left or right field.

But the Angels now have four front-line outfielders in Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Gary Matthews Jr., and two top-notch reserves in Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits.

The Angels also are working Rivera at first base this spring in an effort to find more at-bats for the slugger, and third baseman and leadoff batter Chone Figgins, when sound, doesn’t need many days off, so Quinlan’s opportunities in the infield may be more limited.

Plus, first baseman Kendry Morales found his stroke in August, batting .483, and has made enough strides defensively that he could muscle his way onto the roster, which could lead to Quinlan’s being traded.

“Everyone knows there’s a lot of talent in here,” said Quinlan, who lost 12 pounds this winter and is down to 210. “I’m going to do what I usually do and keep improving.”

Quinlan came up as a third baseman and molded himself into a proficient first baseman and a decent outfielder.

“I’m pretty much at my max for positions to play,” Quinlan said.

In an ongoing effort to cultivate tradition, former Angels stars Tim Salmon and Don Baylor joined the team as guest instructors Tuesday, and Chili Davis and Bobby Grich will serve in similar capacities later this spring.

“When you have a guy like Don who was an American League MVP, who had the success he had, that presence is felt as he walks into the clubhouse,” Scioscia said. “And Tim had a terrific career here and was part of our World Series championship.

“It’s certainly something we want to bring forward as we keep growing as an organization, to connect with the achievements that have happened here.”

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com