Angels' caution to July deals pays dividends

BALTIMORE -- Think of this: Mark Teixeira, playing first base and hitting in front of designated hitter Manny Ramirez, followed by Vladimir Guerrero and shortstop Miguel Tejada. Not a bad middle of the lineup, eh? OK, if that's the Los Angeles Angels' lineup, then after John Lackey, Jon Garland and Jered Weaver, who would fill out the rotation? Jose Arredondo and Scot Shields are not likely to be handing the ball to Francisco Rodriguez. Howie Kendrick would be hitting doubles for Boston, Jeff Mathis would be steadying another pitching staff and Casey Kotchman would be alongside Joe Saunders with the Rangers. This weekend, as the Angels open a three-game series in Baltimore, they would be facing All-Star Ervin Santana and watching hits get taken away by Erick Aybar. Torii Hunter probably isn't playing center field because the... [read full story]