Los Angeles
Angels

News: Shields (knee) has been activated from the 60-day DL.
Impact: He's expected to be healthy for the start of spring training, but heavy use over the last several seasons has led to some questions about Shields' durability. Look for the Angels to try and bolster their bullpen depth this winter -- possibly through free agency -- but Shields figures to be a big part of their late-inning crew again in 2010 after making just 20 appearances last season. 

News: Moseley (hip) has been activated from the 60-day DL.
Impact: He'll be among the candidates vying for the No. 5 starter's spot during spring training for the Angels. Moseley appeared in just three games for the Angles in 2009, finishing with a 1-0 record and 4.30 ERA and an 8:3 K:BB ratio in 14.2 innings. 

News: Hunter may need to undergo sports hernia surgery this winter, the Orange County Register reports.
Impact: "I'm aware that he had to be further evaluated," Angels GM Tony Reagins said, declining to comment on the likelihood of Hunter requiring surgery. "We're still gathering information." Hunter required time on the DL with a groin injury after crashing into the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium back in May. If Hunter decides to have the surgery soon, he could be back on the field in six weeks, which leaves him plenty of time to get healthy before the start of spring training in February. 

News: Angels manager Mike Scioscia has been named AL Manager of the Year, according to SI.com. Scioscia led his team to their fifth AL West title in the last six years and a birth in the ALCS.
Impact: Maybe the most important thing Scioscia did this season was help his team cope with the death of starting pitcher Nick Adenhart. The team dedicated the season to their fallen teammate, and they made it all the way to the ALCS. This was Scioscia's second time receiving the award, as he won it in 2002 as well. 

News: The Nationals are expected to make a move for hurler John Lackey, according to MLBlogs.com.
Impact: The Nationals' top priority should be to improve their pitching staff, and Lackey would help the development of prized prospect Stephen Stasburg. It remains to be seen if Lackey would be interested in headlining with a non-contender though, like Washington.  

News: The Red Sox met with hurler John Lackey's agent, according to MLB reporter Alden Gonzalez's twitter page.
Impact: The addition of Lackey would make a strong Boston pitching staff even better. The Mets are also interested in Lackey, but may not have the funds to reel him in. 

News: The Mets are "testing the waters" with premier free agent righty John Lackey, according to David Lennon of Newsday.
Impact: There has been much speculation this offseason about whether or not the Mets have any money to spend, and getting Lackey would take a boatload of it. That being said, a Mets rotation that was blown to shreds in 2009 sure could use a boost from someone of Lackey's calbier. 

News: Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com is reporting that the Angels still have interest in re-signing free-agent pitcher John Lackey. The Yankees are also said to be interested in the services of the big righty.
Impact: the Angels want to make sure they have an ace for their 2010 rotation, so they aren't going to let Lackey go so easily. If they can't get a deal worked out, the team will likely turn their focus to potentially trading for Blue jays' ace Roy Halladay.  

News: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweeted that the Phillies are seriously considering Chone Figgins.
Impact: The addition would give the Phillies more speed, and three leadoff-types, joining Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins. He would be a nice upgrade over Pedro Feliz at third base. 

News: The New York Yankees could be willing to give top free agent pitcher John Lackey a contract similar to the five year, $82 million one they gave A.J. Burnett last offseason, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.
Impact: Lackey is probably an all-around better pitcher than Burnett has ever been, but his asking price will likely be driven down by his recent injury history. The Yankees, who were exposed as having a rather thin rotation toward the end of 2009, have to be considered the favorites for his services. 

News: White Sox general manager Ken Williams said his team was unlikely to pursue Figgins this offseason, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact: Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen have long been fans of Figgins, but they don't have the budget to acquire him this winter (thanks a lot Alex Rios). The Sox may bring back Scott Podsednik to handle leadoff duties. 

News: Escobar has filed for free agency.
Impact: His shoulder issues will undoubtedly limit the interest in his services this winter. Escobar may need to accept a one-year deal with incentives to prove that he's healthy enough to return to his pre-injury form. 

News: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said on Wednesday that Escobar is unlikely to return this season after battling through shoulder problems that have plagued him for the past two seasons.
Impact: Escobar missed last season with a torn labrum and already spent a stint on the 60-day DL this year because of his troublesome shoulder. The right-hander hasn't seen any progress since his shoulder became inflamed. "At this point, it doesn't seem that way," Scioscia told MLB.com about the possibility of Escobar returning. 

News: Guerrero filed for free agency, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: Guerrero was limited to just 100 games due to a torn right pectoral muscle and knee injuries and the ailments limited him just to DH duty. He only hit 15 home runs after 11 consecutive seasons of 25 or more home runs. He'll just be 35 next season, but his recent injuries make him seem much older. It will be interesting to see if he'll sign a long-term deal, but it's not a leap to think he can bounce back from the worst season of his career. 

News: Figgins filed for free agency, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: Figgins may not be the best player on the free agent market, but he seems to be the player with the most rumored suitors. The Angels will likely make a big effort to re-sign him, but there are a lot of teams that need a third baseman or leadoff hitter. 

News: The Angels have re-signed Abreu to a two-year contract, which includes a club option for 2012, the Associated Press reports. He'll make $9 million in each of the next two seasons with a 2012 option for $9 million with a $1 million buyout, ESPN.com reports.
Impact: Abreu's signing in the spring turned out to be a win-win for both sides, as he was without a home for a good part of the winter while a lot of other big names signed for big money. He rewarded the Angels in 2009, batting .293 with 15 home runs, 103 RBI and 30 stolen bases. Abreu's fine patience at the plate also seemed to rub off on a lot of his new teammates. This is a good location for Abreu to continue his quest for an eighth straight 100-plus RBI season. 

News: Quinlan filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: He'll find a utility infield role with some team this winter. 

News: Oliver filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Oliver has said he'd like to play one more season at age 39 next season. His 2.71 ERA and 65:22 K:BB ratio in 73 innings show he can still be an effective set-up man. 

News: Lackey filed for free agency, the L.A. Times reports.
Impact: Lackey may be the top available pitcher in the free agent market this winter, so his return to the Angels is not certain. 

News: Abreu agreed Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Los Angeles Angels rather than test the free-agent market again.
Impact: Abreu hit .293 this year with 15 home runs, 103 RBIs and 30 steals. The two-time All-Star has driven in at least 100 runs in seven straight seasons. 

News: Baseball writer Ed Price is reporting on Twitter that the Angels have agreed to a two-year extension with outfielder Bobby Abreu. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed.
Impact: Abreu might not be the youngest guy out there, but he is one of the most consistently good players in the game. He had another very nice year in 2009, stealing 30 bases and driving in 103 runs to go along with his 15 homers and .293 average, and he looks poised to put up very similar numbers next year. 

News: Gary Matthews Jr. is ready to leave the Angels after serving a reduced role in 2009, according to the Los Angeles Times. He said, "I do not expect to be back; it is time to move on. I am ready to play for an organization that wants me to play every day. This organization has other plans, and that is OK."
Impact: Matthews inked a five-year deal worth $50MM in 2007, but was hindered by a knee injury over the second half of that season. He had surgery on the knee last winter, which led to the club reeling in star Torii Hunter. Matthews has $23MM left on his contract with a no-trade clause that will allow him to block deals to four teams of his choosing. 

News: Despite the fact that he'll be heading into the fourth year of a five-year, $50 million contract, Matthews Jr. wants to leave the Angels, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact: "I don't expect to be back; it's time to move on," Matthews Jr. said Tuesday. "I'm ready to play for an organization that wants me to play every day. This organization has other plans, and that's OK." Matthews has $23 million remaining on his contract and a partial no-trade clause, so the club will likely have to eat some salary to move him. 

News: Instead of setting the table, Figgins hit .130 in the series, going 3 for 23 out of the leadoff spot in the Angels' six-game ALCS loss to the Yankees.
Impact: Figgins, eligible for free agency, might have played his final game with L.A. "I hope it's not. I mean that's yet to be seen," he said. "I'm just trying to reflect on the good things that happened through the season and worry about that stuff later." 

News: Saunders gave up three runs over 3 1-3 innings Sunday in a 5-2 loss to the Yankees.
Impact: Fantasy owners watched Saunders go 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three playoff starts. Saunders won 16 games but those fantasy players gearing up for the 2010 season have to be a bit concerned with him. 

News: Guerrero had three hits Sunday in a season-ending 5-2 loss to the Yankees.
Impact: The Angels lost the ALCS in six games. Guerrero also resembled a high school player when he got doubled up at first base on a fly to short right field early in Game 6. 

News: Joe Saunders didn't last long in his final start of the 2009 season. He was chased in the fourth inning after allowing three runs, and the Yankees went on to win 5-2 to clinch the ALCS.
Impact: Saunders was staked to a 1-0 lead in the third inning but gave it back and then some in the fourth. He allowed seven hits and five walks in just 3.1 innings, and one has to wonder why Mike Scioscia didn't pull him sooner.  

News: Vladimir Guerrero did all he could in Game 6 of the ALCS to prolong the Angels season, but his 3-for-4 effort wasn't enough as they fell 5-2. The Yankees will now embark on their 40th World Series.
Impact: Vlad drove in the first run of the game in the third inning with an opposite field single, but the Halos' lead didn't last long. The Yankees scored three in the next frame to take a lead they would never relinquish. Guerrero hit .370 for the series and drove in five runs. 

News: Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman does not believe that the New York Mets will pursue free agent pitcher John Lackey this offseason.
Impact: Lackey's services will no doubt be in heavy demand after his solid postseason, and the Mets are supposedly more inclined to spend their dollars on an outfielder.  

News: According to the Twitter page of the New York Post's Joel Sherman, MLB officials are in discussion with the Yankees and the Angels about whether to call Game 6 before the gates open due to weather.
Impact: There is a 90 percent chance of rain tonight, and MLB is considering just pushing the game back before everyone gets to the park. We will keep you updated as they day goes on, but don't be shocked if this one gets rained out. 

News: Saunders' scheduled Game 6 start against the Yankees on Saturday has been postponed due to rain, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: The game has been rescheduled for Sunday, when there is nothing but clear skies in the forecast. Saunders will likely remain the starter.