Fantasy source.(Fantasy)

ROTO RAP

by BRENDAN ROBERTS

There aren't many things more delightful for fantasy owners than a new team owner changing the prospective landscape of the American League and putting together a potential fantasy powerhouse. Angels owner Arturo Moreno has done that by adding Vladimir Guerrero, Jose Guillen, Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar to a team already loaded with fantasy potential. The Yankees of the West? Not quite, but the Angels will be fun to watch.

The highlights from our A.L. West team previews:

On the decline: Eric Byrnes, OF, A's. Just when it looks as though he has a starting job, he slumps or is replaced by an imported player. Byrnes hit .338 in May and June, then .146 the rest of last season. He will begin this season as a reserve outfielder, and his playing time will depend on the health and productivity of his teammates.--Chris Bahr

On the spot: Alfonso Soriano, 2B, Rangers. He's replacing A-Rod. That alone will bring a bunch of scrutiny. Fortunately for Soriano, he has done the scrutiny thing many times over in New York, so the Texas media should be a breeze (albeit a hot, dusty one) by comparison.--Tom Gatto

Injury risks: Troy 61aus, 3B, and Darln Erstad, 01=/1B, Angels. Both decided against having offseason surgery, which is a cause for concern. The payoffs in drafting them are clear--Glaus is a proven 35-home run guy when healthy, and we know from 2000 (.355 average) that Erstad can swing the bat. Because of Erstad's all-out, rambunctious style, he might be the bigger injury risk, even while playing first base.--Roger Kuznia