Offense

This was a summer of change in Anaheim, with franchise staples Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins no longer be listed on the lineup cards (both actually signed with other teams in the AL West). Figgins bolted to the Pacific-Northwest to play with the Mariners, while Vlad found a home with the Texas Rangers.

To replace Guerrero, the Angels picked up Hideki Matsui, the freshly minted World Series MVP.

Even though he was coming off one of the greatest World Series performances in history, the Yankees declined to resign the aging Japanese star, allowing the Angels to pick him up to the tune of a one-year, $6.5 million contract (with a team option, much like Bobby Abreu’s contract). The Angels hope he will serve as a replacement for Guerrero, both statistically and as a fan favorite.

Taking over for Figgins at third base will be Brandon Wood, a former minor league standout who, at 24, is believed to be ready to take over full time duties at third base.

Wood was one of the deciding factors in the Angels’ decision to let Figgins go, and the club hopes that as his plate discipline improves, so will the rest of his offensive game. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 220 lbs., Wood has the power to become a threat in the middle of the lineup.

Kendry Morales and Eric Aybar, two Angels who broke out last season, look to stabilize the lineup in hopes of winning another AL West crown. In his first full season in the majors, Morales belted 34 homeruns and drove in 108 RBIs, all while batting over .300. If he can maintain those numbers and combine them with the front of the order average of Aybar, (.312), the Angels will be well on their way to another playoff appearance.

Rounding out the outfield is Bobby Abreu in right field, who continues to do what he has for the past decade (hitting .300 with strong plate discipline), center fielder Torii Hunter also doing the same things he has since the turn of the century and Juan Rivera in right. Additionally, the Angels have Howie Kendrick at second base, and Mike Napoli behind home plate.

Pitching

Los Angeles made a risky move in allowing its ace, John Lackey, to bolt for the team that has met the Angels in so many playoff series since the two clubs started winning divisions. Yet, while the leader of the staff may have bolted for Boston, the Angels’ rotation is still strong and has dependable arms pitching from the top to the bottom.

The most likely pitcher to start opening day is Jered Weaver, who won 16 games last season with a 3.75 ERA. The 6-foot-7 hurler throws good stuff and has consistently increased his win and strikeout total while lowering his ERA. All this adds up to another season where Weaver will likely have another strong year for the Halos.

Next in the rotation is Ervin Santana, an inconsistent pitcher, but one who finished the 2009 season very strongly. If he can maintain his stuff for the entire season, he has the potential to be the best pitcher on this staff.

Following Santana will be either Joe Saunders or Scott Kazmir.

Saunders won 16 games last year (though he does sport a 4.60 ERA) and Kazmir, who was brought in from the Rays last year after a rough start, pitched well down the stretch and the Angels expect he should return to his 2008 form where he led a second half surge to get the Rays to the World Series.

Joel Pineiro, the Angels’ free-agent replacement for John Lackey, will be brought in to fill the final rotation spot. He is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, where he won 15 games and had a 3.49 ERA.

Brian Fuentes, who led the league in saves last year with 48, returns as the Angels closer, with Fernando Rodney and Scott Shields doing the heavy lifting in the seventh and eight innings.

Prediction

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim look poised to win yet another AL West title.

While they are the clear favorites, a vastly improved Mariners ball club and a Rangers team looking to build on last year’s success both will be right on their heals. If the Angels falter, their position atop the division might not be so safe as the season carries on.

For the Angels to win the division, three of the five starting pitchers will have to step up.

Manager Mike Scioscia does not, however, believe in assigning his starters with a number, so the opportunity is wide open for one of the five to assume the position of top dog.

Barring a disastrous slew of injuries, I see the Angels winning the AL West, but the lack of a big time pitcher will eventually doom them in the postseason.