"The waiting game continues for the three-time reigning American League West champion Angels.

With six players eligible for bids when free agency's doors swing open at 9:01 p.m. PT on Thursday night, the Angels have much to resolve before forging on with the shaping of their 2010 roster.

Ace John Lackey, offensive catalyst Chone Figgins and cleanup man Vladimir Guerrero all are ready to start fielding offers along with bullpen glue Darren Oliver, versatile Robb Quinlan and comeback-minded Kelvim Escobar.

"I don't think anything's changed from our perspective," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who is in constant contact with general manager Tony Reagins. "Those guys are all priorities for us.

"Tony is trying to keep the club together as much as possible. Players earn the right to test the market and see what their value is, and that process has to evolve."

The Angels plan to keep their payroll in the $114 million range of 2009. If all six free agents depart, they'd shed $44.5 million from that number.

But the club has eight arbitration-eligible cases to deal with involving one-third of their projected roster, with substantial raises in line for most of those players. They include pitchers Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders, catchers Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli, infielders Howard Kendrick, Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis, and outfielder Reggie Willits.

Taking those and other raises with players under contract into consideration, the club figures to have roughly $20 million to commit to free agency if it is to remain in the $114 million range.

Should Lackey depart and they venture into the free-agent market, their target would likely be a starting pitcher to round out the rotation. They have in-house candidates Matt Palmer, Dustin Moseley, Sean O'Sullivan and Trevor Bell.

Figgins, Lackey and Oliver are Type A free agents. If they sign elsewhere before Dec. 1 or are offered and decline arbitration and sign with another club, the Angels will receive that team's first-round Draft pick -- or second-round choice if the team's selection is among the top 15 -- along with a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds."