Anaheim signed Eric Owens to a one-year, $925,000 contract prior to the new year. Owens still needs to improve his walk rate, but he cut down on his strikeouts last season, supporting a stronger BA and OBP, which he needs to maintain the value of his speed. The 31-year-old will fill one of the Angels' two reserve openings in the outfield, since both Orlando Palmeiro and Alex Ochoa departed.

Supposedly, Owens believed he might have a chance at a starting job if the Angels didn't sign a DH. However, they've already put an end to that speculation by re-signing Brad Fullmer to a one-year, $1M contract. The Angels non-tendered Fullmer rather than face paying him an arbitration salary. However, once he was a free agent and they could name a price more to their liking they were happy to have him back.

Fullmer demonstrated significant improvement in his strike zone judgment last season and the development was reflected in his BA and OBP. He wasn't quite able to reach the 30 HR power he displayed in 2000, but he showed an ability to steal a handful of bases. I think he could narrow his platoon split to negligible levels if given at-bats against lefties, but as long as Shawn Wooten is healthy, I expect his playing time to be similar to last season. The 27-year-old could see his homer power re-emerge somewhat in 2003, but I don't expect the Angels to run him much more on the bases.

In addition to the major league signings, Anaheim has also agreed to minor league deals with RHP Jose Garcia and OF-R Julio Ramirez. Garcia displayed some interesting numbers with Milwaukee's AA affiliate at Huntsville last season, posting a 2.37 ERA over 60.2 IP in which he allowed only 47 H and no homers. However even at that point, you could predict he'd struggle at AAA due to his 37:31 K:BB, so the 5.70 ERA he posted at AAA Indianapolis on a 43:37 K:BB with 96 H and 9 HR allowed in 83.2 IP came as little surprise. Garcia might be able to salvage his career with a move to relief, but I don't see much upside for the 24-year-old as a starter.

Ramirez was with the Angels last year and spent a portion of the season in the majors. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old outfielder has serious plate discipline problems, which interfere with the expression of his moderate power and speed skills. He'll likely compete for a position as Anaheim's fifth outfielder in Spring Training, but even if they don't bring in someone else he shouldn't win the job.

Meanwhile, the Angels also claimed Wil Nieves off waivers from the Padres. Nieves spent a month in the majors as San Diego's back-up catcher while Wiki Gonzalez was injured. During that time, he only hit .181 with a .224 OBP and .250 SLG on 13 H, 3 2B, and 1 3B with a 4:15 BB:K and 1/1 SB% in 72 AB. However, while at AAA Portland he hit .308 with a .321 OBP and .498 SLG on 73 H, 20 2B, 2 3B, and 7 HR with a 5:40 BB:K in 237 AB. The 25-year-old appears to have some power potential, but his plate discipline will limit his offensive upside unless it improves, though he has shown more promise in that area in the past. I expect Anaheim to attempt to pass him through waivers, so that he can provide them with some insurance in case of multiple injuries to their catching staff.

San Diego has signed a number of players to minor league deals, including Homer Bush, Roberto Kelly, Charles Nagy, and Brian Tollberg. The 30-year-old Bush's offense continues to deteriorate. He should provide some injury insurance at AAA, but I don't think he deserves a position in the majors.

Roberto Kelly spent 2002 in Mexico, where he demonstrated increased patience at the plate and proved he still has his power skills even at 38. If he does as well at AAA, I expect him to receive serious consideration for any injury openings during the season. However, I don't expect him to win a spot in Spring Training.

I don't expect Nagy to have any more luck attempting to pitch without cartilage in his elbow for the Padres than he did with Cleveland. The 35-year-old encountered knee problems to further complicate his situation last year and is past the point at which he should have decided to move onto the next phase of his life.

Tollberg underwent Tommy John surgery last June, so the 30-year-old shouldn't be able to pitch in the majors again until after the All-Star break. Consequently, the Padres have a decent bottom of the rotation starter stashed at AAA. Provided he doesn't encounter serious problems in his rehab, San Diego can add him back to the 40-man roster at the end of the season, giving them yet another potential starter for 2004.

Shortly after the new year, San Diego dealt Jeremy Fikac to Oakland for a player to be named later. The Padres felt that after signing a couple relievers this off-season they no longer needed to retain Fikac. The 27-year-old posted a high 5.48 ERA last season, allowing 74 H and 13 HR in 69 IP, though he compiled a 66:34 K:BB. Fikac underwent surgery prior to the season to remove scar tissue from the palm of his pitching hand, and we believe that affected his performance throughout the year. He also admits to a loss of some confidence accompanying his physical struggles. Oakland should receive a fully healthy pitcher with renewed confidence, likely making him a steal depending on the PTBNL.