American League baseball previews

L. A. ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

• Manager: Mike Scioscia (signed through 2007 with option for 2008)

• Odds are: 11-1 to win the World Series; 5-1 to win the ALCS; 5-17 to win the AL West. Over/under: 92 1/2 wins.

• Major addition: CF Steve Finley is 40 but still shows 30-home run potential along with Gold Glove defense.

• Major loss: RH closer Troy Percival is arguably the second-best closer in the AL, and a home-grown product, but Angels made no effort to keep him.

• Quickly: 3B Dallas McPherson, being pushed for rookie of the year, was diagnosed with a protruding disk in his lower back, which will limit his playing time. . . . Angels broke off negotiations with RHP Jered Weaver, No. 1 pick last June. . . . Cuban defector 3B Kendry Morales was stranded in Dominican Republic with visa problems.

• Under the microscope: 1B Darin Erstad has battled an image of not drawing enough walks or hitting enough home runs to be a true first baseman. Now he's had a bad spring, and the organization's best prospect, Casey Kotchman, happens to be a first baseman.

• Projected payroll: $93 million

• Lineup

  1B Darin Erstad

  DH Jeff DaVanon

  RF Vladimir Guerrero

  LF Garret Anderson

  CF Steve Finley

  SS Orlando Cabrera

  3B Dallas McPherson

  C Bengie Molina

  2B Chone Figgins

• Rotation: RHP Bartolo Colon, LHP Jarrod Washburn, RHP John Lackey, RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Kelvim Escobar

• Closer: RHP Francisco Rodriguez

OAKLAND A'S

• Manager: Ken Macha (signed through 2005)

• Odds are: 50-1 to win the World Series; 15-1 to win the ALCS; 13-2 to win the AL West. Over/under: 79 1/2 wins.