"Last year, Mark Teixeira, Frankie Rodriguez and Garret Anderson were in the Angels' graduating class of sixth-year seniors. They were the free agents who left and probably were taking the Angels' AL West title with them.

The Angels went to spring training anyway, and went a step further in the playoffs than they did in 2008 and, probably, wound up a better team.

It's not a half-empty, half-full thing. It's the hole-in-the-water theory. Eventually, it gets filled.

This year the class is bigger and more substantial. The hole is deeper, too, and there's a water shortage.

The possible free agents are John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Darren Oliver. Those are vital organs.

Figgins and Abreu ranked 1-2 in club on-base percentage, runs and walks. Guerrero was the most productive Angel in the postseason. Lackey is the big-game specialist among the starters. Oliver led the staff in lowest WHIP (walks and hits, plus innings pitched).

The difference is that, unlike last year's free agents, they also provide most of the magnetism and charisma in the clubhouse.

But the Angels consider themselves renewable.

If Figgins signs elsewhere, they have the eternally patient Brandon Wood, mayor of Salt Lake.

If Guerrero leaves, Manager Mike Scioscia could be tempted to make catcher Mike Napoli the main designated hitter, although that requires hitting. Napoli had 14 extra-base hits after July 31 and was leaving for pinch hitters in the playoffs.

If Lackey bolts, Trevor Reckling joins the depth chart. The Team USA left-hander had a 2.95 ERA at Double-A Arkansas.

Oliver, who is more likely to retire than join another team, and Abreu would be trickier to replace.

Some feel the Angels will bring back everyone but Lackey, who is the best pitcher in this free-agent class and clearly wants to exploit it.

Owner Arte Moreno is fond of Guerrero, who might not find significant riches in the market as a DH with reduced power."