Since the Angels have their division wrapped up and are just playing out the final few weeks in preparation for the playoffs, the front office has been able to spend some time thinking about the 2009 season. Team owner Arte Moreno doesn't plan on going too far beyond the $120 million payroll the team has this season, and considering the free agents on the roster right now, I think it's safe to say that the Angels will look a bit different in 2009.Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, Garrett Anderson, and Juan Rivera will all hit the market this winter, and I wouldn't be surprised if the only one of those four to return to Anaheim next season is Teixeira. Of course, with the departure of all those free agents, that would leave room in the budget for the Angels to still make a splash, and Moreno has his sights on one pitcher in particular.
Part of that commitment is expected to be a pursuit of the top pitcher on the market, Milwaukee left-hander CC Sabathia, speculation Moreno did little to shoot down Tuesday.Adding Sabathia to their rotation would make one of the AL's strongest rotations even stronger, and would go a long way to making sure the Angels run away with the AL West again in 2009. Of course, I'm still of the opinion that Sabathia would probably prefer staying in the NL where he's dominated and he gets to swing the stick occasionally.
"We always try to stay very focused on pitching, and right now we think we have a solid one through four," Moreno said, referring to John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver.
"But do you go out and get a No. 1, or do you look for a 2, 3 or 4? We have a wish list of things we think will improve the team. But what you go after could affect your flexibility."
