Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Choices, Choices, Choices

DEPTH is a five letter word that will spend 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Surely other teams have a fourth outfielder and backups who could fill in for position players without much decline, but no one can do it like the Halos.

In Spring Training alone, Depth has managed to reign over the shortstops, outfielders, and pitchers, while slipping in some time at first base. Although it's a great thing to have, Angels manager Mike Scioscia's brain must be nearing an overload as he attempts to work 14 guys into eight slots.

And we're not even counting pitchers yet.

We'll start at short where Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar have split time all spring. Izturis, coming off a year in which he hit .293 (46 RBI with runners in scoring position), was mostly flawless on the defensive end. Possessing great range and an arm that eases first baseman Casey Kotchman's life, various beat reports from the team have signaled that it could be Izturis' job to lose.

On the other hand, Erick Aybar is the more physically gifted of the two. We all know physical gifts can only get you so far, but his work ethic is what makes him so special. Hitting in the high .200's this spring, he's made great contact and even slugged three homers—surprising, since he only hit one last season.

Still, the main factor is that neither have made an error this spring, which is the most important thing to a group of pitchers looking for ground ball outs.

During the offseason, GM Tony Reagins traded SS Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland, a move that fans were critical of for two reasons: 1. The mound was already crowded, and 2. Cabrera was a clubhouse leader and fan favorite.

Fast forward to the spring of 2008—The team's co-aces (John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar) are sidelined with injuries; Reagins is a genius.

Lackey will miss the first couple weeks of the season, while Escobar will probably be out for almost half the season. Garland's World Series ring should help lead a much younger staff, comprised of the talented Jered Weaver, the consistent Joe Saunders, and the versatile Dustin Moseley.

Let's be realistic about the Angels' outfield: If you get under the ball, you'd better hope it flies beyond the fence. Reagins signed Torii Hunter and asked the versatile Gary Matthews Jr. to continue making tremendous plays in left, center, and rightfield, while spelling Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson whenever their bodies call for days as the DH.

So much for "...and the ball falls into the _______field gap" calls from broadcaster Steve Physioc.

But that situation still leaves Reggie Willits (fifth in Rookie of the Year votes last year) and Juan Rivera (missed 2008 with a broken leg, but was solid in 2007) out of the mix.

What's a manager to do?

Thanks for asking. Rivera might see time at first, although it's unlikely with future Gold Glover Kotchman. With emerging semi-rook Kendry Morales, who's suring up his D while continuing to kill the ball, the life-long OF Rivera will have an even tougher time cracking the lineup.

Then again, the always creative Scioscia knows his players and studies matchups better than any manager in the game. If there's a place for Rivera, he'll find it.

At the very least, Depth will provide continued competitions for playing time, lighting a fire beneath each player throughout the year.

Just hope injuries won't become the water that puts it out.