Q&a With Tony Reagins:

A: With Juan, we just felt the upside there, his youth, being 29 years old, and being healthy, and we thought if he's healthy he can be productive for us. He showed in 2006 [.310 batting average, 23 home runs, 85 runs-batted in], given significant at-bats that he can produce and put up some power numbers and still play a decent outfield for us. We thought that was important, to lock him up for three years, and give him a comfort level that he'd be in the lineup every day.

With respect with Francisco [Rodriguez], obviously he had a record-breaking year [with 62 saves], [but] we tried on several occasions to extend him to contracts that were similar to what he signed for [with the New York Mets, a three-year, $37-million deal]. It didn't work out. I think it was important for him to see what his value was out in the open market. He earned that right. You can't knock him for wanting to see his value. But we had to make decisions that were in the best interests for the Angels.

Being able to acquire Brian Fuentes, we think is going to be significant for us. A left-hander at the end of games that can do a quality job. He pitched at Coors Field, so he can come into the American League, where hitters haven't seen him much and that should be beneficial for us.

Q: Are the Angels done making moves this offseason?

A: If there's opportunities that make sense, we'll pursue them. We're perfectly comfortable with going to spring training with the club that we have.

Q: Why zero interest in free agent outfielder Manny Ramirez?

A: It's two fold. We have a good outfield mix [with Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter, Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits and Rivera] and we want to give our younger players an opportunity to play. At some point, they have to step up when they get the opportunity. If you never give them the opportunity, they never can show what their potential could be.

With Juan and with Kendry, Juan being in left field and Kendry being at first place, and having an extra outfielder to DH, there's not room for a Manny Ramirez.

Q: Which moves are you most proud of?

A: They really all look the same to me. At the end of the day, you're just looking at making your club better. We're judged on wins and losses and not individual moves. For me, they're all significant, even the smaller deals.

Q: Some people have said you're not the only one who makes the decisions, other people in the organization help you. How are you perceived in baseball?

A: I think you get respect over time. Being a first-year general manager, you don't come into the situation with the respect because you haven't been in the game and at this level for X amount of years. But any smart person, it's the smart way to go, you have resources that are around you, I think it makes sense to use those resources. I have a good team around me. Mike has input and his input is no different than what it was under [former general manager] Bill [Stoneman]. With me being the general manager and being the first-time general manager, I think that gets overplayed.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.