MVN: Most Valuable Network

The Los Angeles Angels are still a couple weeks from Opening Day but they are in full 'juggle' mode with starters John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar both slated to start the year on the DL. Also hurting for the Angels is left fielder Garrett Anderson who was scratched on Friday & Saturday.  But the long-time Halo said the injuries were "no cause for concern" and was back in the line-up Wednesday.  But it does underline the point that Anderson will turn 36 this year and has not exactly been an iron-man in terms of avoiding injury the last couple of seasons. Then there is Vladimir Guerrero's balky back, chronically sore from years of high-torque swings. Could the Angel batting order sustain extended loss of time from both Guerrero & Anderson? In a word, yes. They may not thrive or dominant but the stable of young hitters that Angel coaches have at their disposal could certainly keep their team afloat until the big boppers return.

The Angels bench/DH is cut into three tiers of players. At the top level are the players that could be starters anywhere including in Anaheim. That tier includes three of the four 'star' outfielders on the roster: Anderson, Guerrero and Gary Mathews, Jr. Those three will be given rest and platoon in the DH position regularly. The fourth outfielder, Torii Hunter, will make the lion's share of starts in centerfield and will be used much less frequently in the DH role. He currently leads all Angel hitters this spring with a .483 average including a pair each of homeruns and triples. Hunter's perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 14 chances this spring also underline his value in the field and further diminishes the chances of seeing him start at designated hitter.

The second tier of players consists of players who could start on a number of teams but are just lacking a regular spot on the Angel roster. Kendry Morales (batting .324 with a pair of HR's this spring) leads the pack with Juan Rivera (.391 spring average), Maicer Izturis (.370 spring average with a triple three doubles) and Reggie Willits (.269 spring average) also in this category. It will be easier for Morales to get at-bats working in tandem with Casey Kotchman (.292 spring average) than for Rivera or Willits to fit into the crowded outfield. But if Rivera keeps hitting at a near-.400-clip it will be hard for Mike Scioscia to ignore him. It has already been speculated that Willits could start the season in Triple-A until a spot opens-up for him in Anaheim (or elsewhere if traded). Izturis is in a heated battle with Erik Aybar (.300 spring average with 2 HR and a triple) for the starting shortstop job but whover does not win the job outright likely makes the team as the backup. Aybar is hitting for a better average but Morales has shown power in addition to a good average which allows him to maintain his edge as the favorite to become the starter. Scioscia will likely give Izturis plenty of at-bats either off the bench or as an occassional starter at shortstop or second base as well.

The final tier of bench players are those that are either career back-ups or true rookies looking to make the roster out of Spring Training. Robb Quinlan (.259 spring average), Brandon Wood (.139 spring average) and Nathan Haynes (.217 spring average) make-up the core of this group. Wood is tied with Guerrero and Torii Hunter for the team with 3 homeruns this spring but his .139 average will likely cost him a chance to start the year in Anaheim. The Angels have given the youngster every opportunity to win the third base job with 36 at-bats this spring, as of Tuesday that was second only to Howie Kendrick's 43. But his inability to hit consistently will likely punch his ticket to Triple-A where Wood will get a chance to play everyday and hone his skills. I will go out on a small limb and say Wood will be the starting third baseman before this season ends in Anaheim. Haynes will almost certainly be sent back to Triple A for additional seasoning but his speed and potential could make a call-up later in 2008 a possibility. Time might be running out for venerable back-up Robb Quinlan who turns 31 this year. The versatile Q has played mostly outfield but can also cover the infield corner positions. The Angels will have to weigh that value against the ability to keep a younger player on the roster. If the Halos send the youngsters to Triple A then Quinlan could survive for another season with the Angels.

The Angels do not have the prototypical "DH" like David Ortiz or Frank Thomas but they should be able to put a very dangerous hitter into the spot in each in every game.  If not one of the power-hitting outfielders than perhaps a speedy Reggie Willits or Maicer Izturis.  No one person will hold the role for the Angels but that was true last year as well. Only this season we have more choices which should make the position that much more effective for the Angels.  Off the bench Mike Scioscia will have that same variety of players to choose from for late inning pinch-hitting or running duties.  The DH/Bench players will be a strength for the Angels this season, keeping them running strong through injuries and allowing Scioscia to rest his stars sufficiently that they do not face an injury plagued melt-down like they did in last season's all-too-brief playoff run.