Angels' Trumbo keeps positive attitude about super utility role

TEMPE, Ariz -- If anyone has a right to complain about their situation in an Angels camp stacked with top talent it's probably Mark Trumbo. He gets to follow his near-Rookie of the Year season by becoming a super utility player, being supplanted at first base and trying his hand at other spots, including third base, which isn't exactly the easiest position to learn overnight.

Trumbo isn't about to gripe, though. The Anaheim native is living the dream.

"We've got such a good thing going,'' Trumbo said about the imposing room full of talent. "There's no need to be a distraction.''

The Angels look like that rare team with too many great players. And Trumbo looks like a backup at third base, in the outfield, at DH and on that rare occasion when alltime great Albert Pujols gets a day off at first base, which used to be Trumbo's position.

At first, nobody figured the Angels were a player for Pujols because they had a homegrown hero, Trumbo, a big man with a sweet personality and awesome power. But then they shocked the baseball world by signing Pujols to that $240-million, 10-year deal, which is about 500 times what Trumbo's one-year deal is worth.

"I was pumped as anyone (about the Pujols signing). I'm a lifelong Angels fan,'' Trumbo said. "But at the same time I knew things would be changing for me.''

Manager Mike Scioscia called to reassure him that he was still "very much in the plans.'' Trumbo understood that his own individual plan would be different, though; if he was going to be moving to a different team, he'd be moving to different positions. The Angels liked the Anaheim native too much to look for a trade for him.

"That's the cards you're dealt,'' Trumbo said, intending no pun regarding Pujols. "He's the best hitter in the game. It's a no-brainer. And it's up to me to make the adjustments.''

Playing time, not finances, is the issue here. Bobby Abreu, a borderline Hall-of-Famer, looks squeezed out and almost extraneous. Maicer Izturis, another good player, looks like a backup. And Trumbo is suddenly a utilityman, an unexpected role for a player who had 29 home runs and 87 RBIs as a rookie.

"I'm here to do whatever it is to help the team win,'' Trumbo said. "I know what I bring to the table. For me, it's proving I'm capable on defense, because that's how I'll earn the at-bats.''

Trumbo, who was actually drafted as a pitcher, sensed he needed to broaden his horizons a few years ago when Kendrys Morales was establishing himself as the first baseman of the future, so he volunteered for the outfield, where he still feels comfortable. He might get a little time in the outfield, though the Angels are spending about $40 million on veterans Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells to play the corner outfield spots, and they also will have Mike Trout, one of baseball's best prospects, ready to come up at some point.

Morales looks primed to return as the primary designated hitter and is eight for 13 this spring afer not playing in a real game for nearly two years following the freak lower leg injury that finally gave Trumbo a chance he wasn't expecting last year. Trumbo himself said Morales is "insanely good'' in recognizing pitches for a guy who hasn't seen any for 20 months.

So third base is Trumbo's big project this year. At 6-feet-4 and 225 pounds, he isn't the most nimble guy for the spot, so he needs to work at it. Troy Glaus was a big Angels star at third, but he was a natural. Trumbo needs to keep trying hard. He said he is also "trying to keep an open mind.'' The Angels have said the goal for Trumbo is 30-40 games to spell starter Alberto Callaspo at third, but he may earn more if he can handle it.

It isn't an easy switch, however. Trumbo has made three errors at third so far but also made a couple nice plays, as well. He isn't proclaiming himself an All-Star there yet, and he knows Scioscia has always viewed defense as vital. He said he's enjoying the new position, but it's a big undertaking. He keeps reminding himself to keep his feet moving. It isn't easy.

"I'm grinding,'' is how Trumbo put it. "I'm trying to hone in on the plays I know I can make, and I've made a few advanvced plays. I just want to give my pitchers confidence.''

It's a tricky thing. He needs enough at-bats to keep his confidence, too. "I understand I might not be in there every day,'' he said. "But I hope it's enough to keep consistent timing.''

Timing is everything, as they say, and Trumbo has seen all sides of it.