KENNEDY'S SWAN SONG? SECOND BASEMAN MIGHT BE IN FINAL SEASON WITH TEAM.

Byline: Doug Padilla  Staff Writer

SURPRISE, Ariz. - The writing on the wall for Adam Kennedy is as large as the giant A that sits in the Angel Stadium parking lot.

As valuable as Kennedy's defense is to the Angels' cause, the odds of him sticking around beyond the contract that expires at the end of this season seem remote at best. As big as his three-homer game was during the American League Championship Series in 2002, it seems obvious that his time in an Angels uniform is nearing an end.

It isn't like the team's everyday second baseman is not valuable. Manager Mike Scioscia thinks Kennedy is one of the biggest reasons the Angels advanced as far as they did last season, reaching the ALCS.

``I think the biggest difference-maker on our team was (shortstop Orlando) Cabrera and Kennedy up the middle, and their fusion into just one defensive segment almost like a secondary in football where guys just know where they're going to be,'' Scioscia said. ``Those guys worked very hard at it and got acclimated very quickly. But our play up the middle was without a doubt, our biggest influence. Plus what our (catchers) did behind the plate to help our pitching. But Kennedy and Cabrera are huge to our club on the defensive side.''

That would mean that Bengie Molina's contribution also was looked uponhighly, but he ended up in Toronto when his contract expired after last season.

Replacing Molina with Jeff Mathis this year let the Angels save a little money and at the same time give an opportunity to a prospect that is considered can't-miss. Behind Kennedy at Triple-A this season will be the highly-touted Howie Kendrick, a young player with a huge upside that general manager Bill Stoneman referred to as ``magic'' after an opposite-field hit in an intrasquad game.

``He's going to play in the big leagues,'' Kennedy said of Kendrick, who was sent to minor-league camp last week. ``It's good to see a good kid with those skills playing whether he's knocking on your door or whatever. But he's a good kid and he'll be good for the game.''

It's hard to root against a guy who wishes well for his likely successor. But Kennedy is a realist. His approach has helped him to understand the defensive side is where he makes his money, not that forgets about his offense.

``I know that if I want to play, on this team especially, my defense has tobe pretty sharp,'' he said. ``But you also have a job offensively. In thisleague, this division, if you have a hole in your offense, it's going to show.You try to perform on both sides and hopefully you're not a weak link on either side.''

Kendrick is the player who has the impressive bat with the improving defensive skills. And while pitching and defense still is the Angels' mantra, improving the offense has been a goal.

``If that's the case, so be it,'' Kennedy said about leaving. ``You can't arguewith the guys that are to follow. But you would like to make the decision tough on them. You would love to play for this organization simply because of what (owner) Arte (Moreno) has done over the years.''

So what can Kennedy do about staying? Praising the owner is a good start, but he likely will need nothing short of a dominating season both offensively and defensively. And even then, Kennedy's staying price probably would soar beyond what the Angels would want to pay.

Any way it's analyzed, the Riverside native and Cal State Northridge alum, who turned 30 in January, seems to be in a farewell season. There is speculation if Kennedy gets off to a hot start, he could be dealt to ensure the Angels get something in return.

Scioscia didn't care to speculate what life would be like without his defensive stalwart.

``I'm thinking about today,'' Scioscia said. ``That's a long way away. None of us at this level think along those lines. You have to worry about today, but he's a guy that no doubt has been a difference maker on the defensive end and he had a good offensive year (last season), too.''

Kennedy did bat .300 last season in 129 games. But his 49 runs scored and 37 RBIs, not to mention two home runs, are numbers Kendrick is easily expected to surpass. In fact, Kendrick's bat is considered major-league ready right now and if it wasn't for the four players on the major-league roster who can play second base(Kennedy, Edgardo Alfonzo, Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis), he might be getting his chance.

``I've been fortunate to be here for the time I have,'' said Kennedy, who Thursday can celebrate the six-year anniversary of the trade that brought him from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Jim Edmonds trade. ``If it is no longer, it's been a great ride, but hopefully that's not the case.''

And playing for so long in front of family and friends so close to where hegrew up has been a treat.

``It's great,'' he said. ``There has been a big following from there and it'sgreat to be able to play where your parents can see you play on any given night. It's been special.''

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Adam Kennedy (Cal State Northridge) has been a stalwart in the Angels' infield for six years.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images