It was another transitional offseason for the Angels as they watched key players John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins leave as free agents while division rivals Seattle and Texas seemed to improve. The Angels have pinned their hopes on the continued development of young players, such as Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar, who had breakout seasons in 2009 and Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, who anchor a deep rotation. The Angels still might be the most complete team in the AL West, but the gap clearly has narrowed. ARRIVALS: RHP Joel Pineiro (free agent from Cardinals), RHP Fernando Rodney (free agent from Tigers), OF/DH Hideki Matsui (free agent from Yankees), RHP Brian Stokes (trade with Mets). DEPARTURES: RHP John Lackey (free agent, signed with Red Sox), 3B Chone Figgins (free agent, signed with Mariners), OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero (free agent, signed with Rangers), LHP Darren Oliver (free agent, signed with Rangers), RHP Kelvim Escobar (free agent, signed with Mets), OF Gary Matthews Jr. (traded to Mets), RHP Jose Arredondo (free agent, signed minor league deal with Reds), RHP Shane Loux (free agent, signed minor league deal with Astros), RHP Dustin Moseley (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Yankees). SPRING FOCUS: Of all the Angels' free agent losses, Chone Figgins might be the most difficult to replace. INF Brandon Wood will be given a chance to step in for Figgins at third base, but the void Figgins leaves at leadoff will be harder to fill. SS Erick Aybar will get the first look there, but INF Maicer Izturis is also in the picture. The Angels will also be watching RHP Scot Shields closely this spring. Shields has been sidelined since knee surgery last June. His return to form is an X factor that could elevate the Angels' bullpen from question mark to strength. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Jered Weaver 2. RHP Ervin Santana 3. LHP Joe Saunders 4. LHP Scott Kazmir 5. RHP Joel Pineiro The departure of John Lackey leaves the Angels' rotation without a clear ace. But the additions of Scott Kazmir by trade last season and Joel Pineiro as a free agent this winter gives them 1-through-5 depth as good as any in the league. Ervin Santana could be the key to elevating this group to an even higher level. An All-Star in 2008, Santana was hampered by a partially torn ligament in his elbow last season. If he is healthy, Santana has a dynamic power repertoire. PROJECTED BULLPEN: LHP Brian Fuentes (closer) RHP Fernando Rodney RHP Scot Shields RHP Kevin Jepsen RHP Jason Bulger RHP Brian Stokes/Matt Palmer The Angels' signing of Fernando Rodney is insurance against Scot Shields' recovery from knee surgery and Brian Fuentes' less than dominating performance at closer (despite a major league-leading 48 saves in 2009). Rodney could slide into either the setup or closer role at times. Shields was one of the most dependable setup men in baseball from 2006 through 2008. If he recovers from knee surgery to regain that form, the Angels' bullpen could be deep and formidable with Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger building on the progress they showed in 2009. Brian Stokes, acquired from the Mets in a trade for Gary Matthews Jr., and Matt Palmer will likely compete for the final spot in the bullpen. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. SS Erick Aybar 2. RF Bobby Abreu 3. 1B Kendry Morales 4. CF Torii Hunter 5. DH Hideki Matsui 6. LF Juan Rivera 7. 2B Howie Kendrick 8. 3B Brandon Wood 9. C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis The Angels expect Matsui to replace Guerrero's production. Replacing Figgins at the top of the lineup will be more difficult. He developed into one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball last season. Aybar led the team with a .312 batting average last season but has shown little of the plate discipline needed from a leadoff hitter. If he can't fill the leadoff void, manager Mike Scioscia will probably turn to INF Maicer Izturis. But playing Izturis means taking at-bats away from youngsters Howie Kendrick or Brandon Wood (at second base or third base). Kendrick must continue the bounce back he showed after a midseason demotion to Class AAA last year, and Morales must follow up on his MVP-caliber season last year with more of the same. PROJECTED RESERVES: C Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis INF Maicer Izturis INF Robb Quinlan OF Reggie Willits OF Terry Evans The Angels decided it was necessary to trade off Gary Matthews Jr. and his contract. But the move leaves them thin in the outfield, their most vulnerable position because of the ages of Hunter, Abreu and Matsui. Willits and Evans offer the only depth there. Izturis will see plenty of action in the starting lineup in a "super-utility" role. Mathis and Napoli will once again share the catching duties, and Bobby Wilson will get an outside chance to make the team as a third catcher. TOP ROOKIES: OF Chris Pettit hit .321 with a .383 OBP and 18 stolen bases in 96 games at Class AAA last season. The Angels' lack of outfield depth could give him an opportunity this spring. C Bobby Wilson has spent the last three seasons in Class AAA, hitting .271 last year. He is out of options and could force his way onto the major league roster as a third catcher, giving manager Mike Scioscia the option of pinch-hitting for light-hitting C Jeff Mathis when he plays. INF Freddy Sandoval has hit .300 or better in each of his last three seasons in Class AA and Class AAA and can play anywhere on the infield. That versatility gives him a shot at a spot on the Angels' bench this spring. MEDICAL WATCH: --RHP Scot Shields (patellar tendon surgery on left knee in June 2009) will be closely monitored as he returns. --CF Torii Hunter (sports hernia surgery in November 2009) has fully recovered.