ANAHEIM -- The Angels spent the winter waiting on Mark Teixeira. With the first baseman opting for the bright lights and big dollars of the Bronx and the Yankees, it appears that youth will be served this summer in Anaheim with a deep, balanced and talented roster defending the club's American League West title.

Losing elite closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets, the Angels filled that void by signing veteran lefty Brian Fuentes on Wednesday, a three-time National League All-Star with the Rockies who has saved 30 or more games in three of the past four seasons.

Two other valuable members of the division championship cast -- Garret Anderson and Jon Garland -- are entertaining offers in free agency.

With all the hand-wringing over the exits of Teixeira and K-Rod, it should not be forgotten that this is a club with many assets, starting with pitching. The Angels have built their foundation on arms produced by their organization, and they will continue to keep this outfit competitive.

Homegrown starters John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver form four-fifths of a rotation that is the envy of almost every club in the Majors. With Garland likely leaving, the Angels say they're comfortable going into the spring with a handful of candidates to fill the No. 5 role: Dustin Moseley, Shane Loux, Nick Adenhart, Nick Green and Anthony Ortega.

Replacing K-Rod in the ninth inning, Fuentes figures to get the first call, but general manager Tony Reagins and manager Mike Scioscia have other solid options in Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo. The return of free agent Darren Oliver, who agreed to arbitration, provides another left-handed arm for balance.

The Angels lost three young right-handed pitchers -- Darren O'Day, Robert Mosebach and Miguel Gonzalez -- in the Rule 5 Draft. But they own an impressive collection of young pitching talent, perhaps the best in the Majors.

A bigger priority, once again, is the offense. The Angels upgraded their slugging and on-base percentages when they acquired Teixeira from the Braves on July 29 in exchange for first baseman Casey Kotchman and pitching prospect Steve Marek. They feel they can now replace Teixeira from within the organization.

	Season in Preview A lot can change by Opening Day, but as 2008 becomes 2009, this is who is projected to take the field for the Angels:
	LF	Chone Figgins
	2B	Howie Kendrick
	RF	Vladimir Guerrero
	C	Mike Napoli
	CF	Torii Hunter
	DH	Juan Rivera
	1B	Kendry Morales
	3B	Brandon Wood
	SS	Maicer Izturis/Erick Aybar
	SP	John Lackey
	SP	Ervin Santana
	SP	Joe Saunders
	SP	Jered Weaver
	SP	Dustin Moseley
	CL	Brian Fuentes
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Switch-hitter Kendry Morales, who has shown flashes of super offensive talent and has improved tremendously with the glove, is expected to inherit first base. Morales projects as a .270-.290 hitter with power in the 15-20-homer range. Versatile Robb Quinlan will be back to provide support.

The infield is as deep as any in the game -- and that has come in handy the past few seasons with multiple injuries to second baseman Howie Kendrick, shortstops Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis and third baseman Chone Figgins. Brandon Wood and Sean Rodriguez have shown flashes of great things to come and could slide into more significant roles if necessary.

Anderson, the franchise leader in hits, RBIs and total bases among other categories, will be missed for his versatility and consistency if he leaves the only organization he has known. Juan Rivera, signed to a three-year deal, is expected fill a void in the power department.

The Angels have said they will not pursue any outfielders. They have Reggie Willits, Quinlan and Gary Matthews Jr. (coming off knee surgery) along with the versatile Figgins available. Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero (expected to be ready after knee surgery) are set in center and right, respectively.

Wood, whose power potential is highly appealing, finally could bust his way into the lineup on the left side of the infield. He'd be the likely choice at third base if Figgins is asked to take his talents to the outfield.

The Angels are set behind the plate with Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis, backed by Bobby Wilson and Ryan Budde. Napoli is capable of producing a 30-homer season if he can stay healthy, while Mathis needs to develop more confidence to bring his offense up to his defensive level.

"We knew we had a lot of work to do this winter," Reagins said. "This didn't sneak up on us. We knew it was going to be a process, and we're confident we'll put together a quality roster when it's all said and done."

Grading on a curve: The only realistic grade right now is incomplete. The final package remains unknown.

Arrivals: LHP Fuentes.

Departures: 1B Teixeira, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, RHP O'Day, RHP Mosebach, RHP Gonzalez.

The Road Ahead: The Angels have so much depth in so many areas that they will be competitive. Their starting rotation alone probably stamps them as the favorite in the AL West, but how they stack up with the rest of the league hinges on how their lineup evolves and produces.