Major Expiring Contacts:

Vladimir Guerrero
5 years/$70M (2004-08), plus 2009 club option
2009 Salary – $15 million

Kelvim Escobar
3 years/$28.5M (2007-09)
2009 Salary – $9.5 million

John Lackey
3 years/$17.01M (2006-08), plus 2009 club option
2009 Salary – $9 million

Chone Figgins
1 year/$5.775M (2009)

Bobby Abreu
1 year/$5M (2009)

In my view the Angels have a legitimate shot of keeping all of these guys with the exception of Escobar. Escobar’s 9.5 million will be gone and Vlad won’t make near as much as he is now. This will free up money for primarily John Lackey, who I think will be the Angels #1 target. Pitching is just too valuable, and Lackey is clutch.

Primary teams we’ll be competing with:

John Lackey – Rangers, Dodgers, Cubs, Astros, Mets, Cardinals (Yankees and Red Sox already an ace and have other holes to fill, but you never know)

Vladimir Guerrero - Mariners, White Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles (I know these teams look random, but he can’t go to the National League, and I really don’t think the big market teams want him)

Chone Figgins - Everyone (Figgins is so valuable due to his position eligibility and speed, I think he will be the hardest to keep)

Bobby Abreu – Same (Again, five tool player. His age and defensive abilities will bring the price down)

Other Nice Options:

Jason Bay, Matt Holliday

-Tony C