Chalk Talk: Los Angeles Angels 2010 Preview

On Chalk Talk today we will talk a little bit about the Los Angeles Angels and how they are looking for 2010. The Angels in the off-season lost some players they will need to replace. Gone are Chone Figgins, John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Darren Oliver in free agency. Losing Figgins and Guerrero will hurt. The Angels did bring in Hideki Matsui to DH. He will not be any help in the outfield, but has a great bat. Brandon Woods will take over for Figgins and try to produce like Figgins did. This team will score runs as they still are very talented on the offensive side of it.

1. SS Erick Aybar
2. RF Bobby Abreu
3. CF Torii Hunter
4. 1B Kendry Morales
5. DH Hideki Matsui
6. LF Juan Rivera
7. 2B Howie Kendrick
8. C Mike Napoli
9. 3B Brandon Wood

Pitching is usually the key to a run at the playoffs and the World Series. Losing John Lackey will hurt the staff, but it is still a good one. Overall the pitching staff is good, but losing their ace Lackey really hurt them. They do have one of the best closers in the business so that will also help offset losing Lackey a little. They key is more consistent pitching out of the starting staff.

1. RHP Jered Weaver
2. LHP Joe Saunders
3. RHP Ervin Santana
4. LHP Scott Kazmir
5. RHP Joel Pineiro

Projected closer
LHP Brian Fuentes