Lackey Wants Kennedy, Erstad to Stay

If the opinion of the pitcher who will be a rotation cornerstone for years to come carries any weight, the Angels should think long and hard before allowing two respected veterans, second baseman Adam Kennedy and first baseman Darin Erstad, to leave as free agents this winter.

“The organization is going to have to be real careful,� right-hander John Lackey, who is signed through 2008 with an option for 2009, said Tuesday. “We’ve lost the things that made us good, piece by piece; you can’t let them all go. Some things are more important than numbers -- intangibles, guys who know how to win, who are gamers, who have done it before.�

Kennedy and Erstad played key roles on teams that won the World Series in 2002 and American League West titles in 2004 and 2005, Kennedy’s providing consistent, high-level defense and some clutch postseason hits and Erstad’s adding grit, some key playoff hits and superb defense.

Kennedy is almost certain to go the way of Troy Glaus, Bengie Molina, Jarrod Washburn and Troy Percival, productive veterans who were cleared out to make room for younger, less-expensive players. Howie Kendrick, Kennedy’s heir apparent, has shown he’s capable of hitting big league pitching and has looked sharp defensively.

Most figured Erstad, in the last year of a four-year, $32-million deal, would not be re-signed, but an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of 2006 and will require surgery could actually increase his chances of returning; he will probably be offered a minor league deal and invited to spring training.

“Bill and the guys upstairs are in a tough spot,� Lackey said, referring to General Manager Bill Stoneman. “He’s put together a playoff contender the last two years, so you can’t fault him too much, but you’re definitely going to lose something in the clubhouse if you let those guys go.

“If you do let them go, I hope they replace them with the same kind of character and intangibles.�

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Vladimir Guerrero started his fourth consecutive game at designated hitter, a spot the right fielder will probably be relegated to for the rest of the homestand.

In addition to sore knees that have been bothering him for weeks, Guerrero has a sore heel, which couldn’t have felt any better after he legged out a chopper to third base for an infield single in the first inning.

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That Kelvim Escobar struggled against Texas on Tuesday shouldn’t have come as a shock. The right-hander, who gave up five runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings, has a 2-8 career record and 4.52 earned-run average against the Rangers.... The Angels had a major league-leading 142 stolen bases through Monday and could become only the fifth team to lead the AL in stolen bases for three seasons in a row.

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