Angels' Aybar to enter camp running
While Brandon Wood might be the fan favorite to take over the shortstop position from the departed Orlando Cabrera, it is Erick Aybar that will get the first crack at it. His showing in the Caribbean Series showed that Aybar is ready and isn't bothered by pressure.
In the deciding game of the series, played Thursday, Aybar went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI double as his Tigres del Licey team wrapped up its 10th Caribbean title. It was a much better ending for Aybar, who once had a ball hit off his head to allow the deciding run to score in the Caribbean Series title game. With Wood breathing down his neck, Aybar should be plenty inspired as his chance for his first big-league starting job approaches.
Anyone who has watched the Angels knows that Maicer Izturis is a far better baseball player than Erick Aybar and is the favorite to be next year's shortstop. And anyone who has followed Erick Aybar's off-season in winter ball knows that he has been a veritable disaster in all phases of the game.