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Angels sign lefty Fuentes
December 31st, 2008, 10:26 am · 7 Comments · posted by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM
California native Brian Fuentes wasn’t kidding when he said that he and the Angels would be “a great fit.”
The Angels and the free-agent reliever have agreed to terms on a two-year contract (not the three years and $30 million he had reportedly been seeking earlier this off-season).
The 33-year-old Fuentes immediately becomes the front runner to replace Francisco Rodriguez as the Angels’ closer, allowing the Angels to keep Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo in their setup roles — news that might come as a disappointment to Shields who has bided his time loyally in that role hoping for a shot at the ninth inning some day.
Fuentes was sixth in the National League with 30 saves in 34 opportunities for the Rockies last season. It was his third 30-save season in the past four years.
Check out Mark Whicker’s take on the deal by clicking here.
Check out Sam Miller’s statistical analysis of the deal by clicking here.
7 Comments
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This is a great move. K Rod had escalating numbers (WHIP) and Fuentes has gotten better. Look at his numbers away from Denver, they are very, very good. This sets the bullpen nicely.
I would like to see a “second tier” hitter or two OR a move for Peavy and perhaps Gonzalez with him. A move for Peavy is my first choice as with Escobar unknown and the young pitchers still learning and may see some inconsistency, adding a stud like Peavy creates a championship staff. If you can add Gonzo, you get near Tex numbers at 1st which is what is needed. Keep it going Reagins! Deal Wood and Adenhart and what is needed for Peavy and Gonzo!!
Bad Move. Scotty Shields and Arredondo could do the job. What a waste of money. Spend the money on a bat to add to the lineup
They still need a bat if they have any hope of a championship. Since the outfield is pretty solid, I think at this point they need to grab Adam Dunn and put him at 1st. Angel’s are great at small ball, but they’re not in the NL- they need somebody who can go deep.
Sorry to say #2, you’re wrong. Shields the past 2 years has been somewhat inconsistent and Arredondo maybe a good fireballer, still isn’t proven. Fuentes will give them a short term closer, allow for Arredondo to develop so that later on, if in fact he can handle the closer role, he’ll be able to. Fuentes is only making half the money that K-Rod asked for and having Arrendondo and Shields setting things up and occassionally closing when Fuentes has been gassed out and needs rest allows for a very deep back end of the bullpen.
I’m with #1 though but bare in mind what we have to give up on top of both Wood and Adenhart. Pitching will be in demand and that means giving up Santana Saunders and Weaver more than likely. 3 VERY solid pitchers who could easily be a 1 or 2 on any other team. Peavy would be a great add as would Gonzo but not at the cost with which the Padre’s would demand. We’d have Lackey, Peavy and really no other starter save maybe keeping one of the above 3 mentioned pitchers. We’d still be 2 pitchers short and whats left in the market of pitchers isn’t that great.
Bringing up Kelvim Escobar wouldn’t be a good idea as a 4th starter as he’s injury prone and would be best suited as a long reliever in the bullpen. Dustin Moseley would be a decent maybe 5th starter but can’t really get past 7 innings on a good day as his arm isn’t suited for pitching long stretches and long innings. He’s an 80 pitch guy not a 110 pitch guy.
Lackey, Saunders, Santana, and Weaver… any team would love to have that 1-4. If we get Peavy though, it can’t be at the cost of our 4 pitchers though (except maybe Weaver since his agent’s name is Scott Boras).
I’d agree Damon if it wasn’t for the fact that Dunn strikes out too much and hits for a low average.
Everyone says that the Angels need a big bat. Yes, that’s true. But, think about this: Even though “Tex” played extremely well when he was on the team, the Angels winning percentage actually went down after Tex arrived. And even though Tex tore the cover off the ball during the playoffs, the Angels still got beat in the first round. One big bat isn’t going to be enough. They need a big bat, consistant middle relief, and even another big bat. I’m hoping Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales will bring the wood.
The Angels supposedly also have an option for a third year with Fuentes. Now sign a starting pitcher and I say the Angels are done. For people crying for a bat, who would they sign? The outfield is already filled up and they can’t really add a DH. The infield is set too. You could say Konerko at first but I’d prefer Kendry Morales. I say let the kids play in 2009. The main reason some of the prospects haven’t started hitting is not enough playing time. Let Kendry Morales play first. Give Brandon Wood a spot too. I say third base but short stop is okay too. He needs to play already.
The Angels won the AL West easily this year because of pitching and defense. Mark Teixeira wasn’t needed to do that. And he didn’t help a bit in the playoffs. The playoffs are a crapshoot.