OFFSEASON OF CHANGE MAKES A LOT OF SENSE ANGELS' ROSTER TURNOVER NOT AS DRASTIC AS IT SEEMS.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Their three-time All-Star third baseman and all-time saves leader were quietly shown the door. Their lovable shortstop and leadoff hitter was cut loose in an 11th-hour decision on a December evening, only because they couldn't replace their No. 2 starter with another free agent.

They traded an emerging five-tool talent for spare parts. And they even traded in a perfectly logical franchise name for one that's at best a revenue generator and at worst, ``geographically absurd,'' as one opponent put it.

For many franchises, such a drastic makeover would be considered a nuclear winter. But for the re-tooled, re-branded and rejuvenated Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, it was, very happily, business as usual.

Turnover is the norm on Gene Autry Way these days, but the sentimental blow of losing World Series heroes Troy Glaus, Troy Percival and David Eckstein and budding but churlish talent Jose Guillen was softened by who's coming in, starting today when pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

Ageless Steve Finley, who hit 36 home runs and won a Gold Glove at 39 last season, will be flanked by Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson in what could be baseball's best outfield. Dynamic Orlando Cabrera, whose acquisition spurred Boston to a 39-18 finish and a World Series title, will bring a talent level to shortstop that the spunky but limited Eckstein did not.

Glaus and Percival, both coming off two consecutive injury-plagued years, will be replaced by the supremely talented - if unproven - Dallas McPherson, and Francisco Rodriguez, respectively, at a savings of about $16.5 million this season.

That makes for a healthy organization, one that produces homegrown talent and has the resources to augment from the free-agent market to contend, at a payroll of about $92 million.

And if sentiment takes a back seat, so be it.

``Five or six years ago, I might've got a little emotional losing friends like that,'' first baseman Darin Erstad said. ``But I like the guys we have. The potential is there for great things. I see a good team.''

It's a team that was good enough to win 92 games and the AL West title last year despite a rash of injuries that sent six key players to the disabled list.

But following a three-game whipping at the hands of the eventual World Series champion Red Sox in the playoffs, change was inevitable.

The Angels weren't about to commit $45 million to Glaus, as Arizona did, or two years and $12 million to Percival, as Detroit did, with cheaper replacements at the ready. They weren't about to put up with the talented but mystifying Guillen, who hit 27 homers but was self-absorbed and sensitive to criticism. The Angels traded him to the Washington Nationals, where he'll get his seventh ``fresh start.''

On the surface, inserting Finley for Guillen, Cabrera for Eckstein, Rodriguez for Percival and McPherson for Glaus looks like a wash. But the subtle effects of the moves appeal to the Angels.

Anderson, a great left fielder and an average center fielder, is back in his comfort zone. When second baseman Adam Kennedy returns from a knee injury in May or June, the Angels will have Gold Glove-caliber talent at every position up the middle.

Cabrera's superior range will save pitchers numerous runs. The two- tiered move of signing Cabrera for four years and $32 million and letting go of Eckstein created the most ripples - until the Angels realized what they had going forward.

``We as teammates all loved Eck,'' said pitcher Jarrod Washburn, who might have been a goner himself if the Angels landed free-agent pitcher Matt Clement. ``The fans loved Eck. That being said, we made an improvement at shortstop. It surprised me, but it didn't upset me.''

The Guillen trade netted a solid reserve outfielder in Juan Rivera and an intriguing infield reserve in Maicer Izturis. Cuban defector Kendry Morales is virtually unknown, but the Angels are prepared to tag-team the DH spot if the 21-year-old slugger isn't ready.

McPherson hit 43 home runs at three levels last season, including three in September with the Angels. He also struck out 186 times, but the Angels have Robb Quinlan (.344 in 56 games last year), Chone Figgins and non-roster invitee Lou Merloni if McPherson struggles.

``You look at the bench we have now, the defensive alignment we're going to put out there, and we should be a lot better balanced, a lot deeper,'' general manager Bill Stoneman said. ``It's sometimes difficult. How do you not get attached to Eckstein? How do you not get attached to Percival? He represented a lot of the soul of the ballclub.''

-- City continues its fight: Anaheim City Council members voted to appeal a judge's refusal to grant a preliminary injunction to the city in its attempt to block the Angels from adding Los Angeles to their name.

Superior Court Judge Peter Polos also denied a request for a temporary restraining order last month after the city sued the Angels, claiming the name switch would violate the team's lease of the stadium. The judge, however, said that the contract requires only that Anaheim be included in the name.

-- With Associated Press

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3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 3) The Angels won the AL West last year, but have made several changes to the roster for 2005. Steve Finley (top photo) is the new center fielder, while Troy Percival, left, and Troy Glaus signed elsewhere.

Associated Press photos

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ANGELS SPRING ROSTER