Angels add closer with All-Star Fuentes

Dec. 31, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports

LOS ANGELES -- Free-agent reliever Brian Fuentes and the Los Angeles Angels reached agreement on a two-year, $17.5 million deal Wednesday, giving the AL West champions a replacement for record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Fuentes gets $8.5 million next season and $9 million in 2010. There's a club option for $9 million in 2011.

"He should solidify the back part of our bullpen," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said on a conference call. "We pitched well last year, we expect to pitch well again."

Fuentes, a 33-year-old lefty, was a three-time NL All-Star who went 1-5 with 30 saves in 34 chances and a 2.73 ERA for Colorado this season. He had a 1.75 ERA after the All-Star break, when he saved 16 games in as many chances.

"I'm definitely happy to have the opportunity to play for a team that I've watched for a long time," said Fuentes, who grew up in Merced, Calif., and still lives there. "My 2-year-old's excited. He can't wait to go to Disneyland."

Regarding Angels manager Mike Scioscia, Fuentes said: "From what I hear from other guys, he's a player's manager."

Rodriguez posted 62 saves for the Angels this season to break Bobby Thigpen's single-season record of 57. K-Rod signed a three-year, $37 million contract with the New York Mets three weeks ago.

Lefty Brian Fuentes is coming of a 30-save campaign. (Getty Images)
"The only pressure I have is what I put on myself," Fuentes replied when asked if following Rodriguez would make his life more difficult. "I know I can be successful."

Reagins said plans call for Fuentes to close, with Scot Shields or Jose Arredondo serving as the Angels' setup man. The Angels have several other experienced relievers including Darren Oliver and Justin Speier, who were both teammates of Fuentes in Colorado.

"It's going to be nice to have a little bit of a comfort zone," said Fuentes, who has a 17-27 career record with 115 saves and a 3.41 ERA in 438 appearances for the Seattle Mariners and Rockies. He left the Rockies as their all-time career saves leader and finished as Colorado's all-time leader in strikeouts by a reliever as well.

Fuentes was drafted by Seattle in 1995 and made his major league debut in 2001. The Mariners traded him to Colorado after the 2001 season.

Fuentes became the Rockies' closer in 2005, going 2-5 with 31 saves in 34 chances and a 2.91 ERA in 78 games. He was 3-4 with 30 saves in 36 chances and a 3.44 ERA in 2006 and 3-5 with 20 saves in 27 chances and a 3.08 ERA in 64 games in 2007. The Rockies advanced to the World Series that year, but Fuentes was replaced as the team's closer in midseason by Manny Corpas. Fuentes got his job back early this season when Corpas faltered.

"Once you get there, all the other bad seasons just wash away," Fuentes said of playing in the World Series. "You don't make it to the World Series every year. To have an opportunity to do that is very appealing."

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Is Torres #1 Closer Yost Says "Maybe it does,"

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According to The Sports Xchange notes: Asked Tuesday if the performance of Salomon Torres as the interim closer in the absence of injured Eric Gagne is making him re-evaluate that role, Yost left open the door. "Maybe it does," he said. "We'll definitely keep looking at it. Now, we've got two guys we feel can close games out instead of just one." Gagneis not close to returning from a shoulder injury, so no decision has to be made anytime soon. But it's difficult to believe Yost would reinsert Gagne in the closer's role if Torres continues performing as he has of late. Torres has converted all five save opportunities in place of Gagne, including one in Washington on May 24 and another Monday night against Arizona in which his defense committed two errors in the ninth inning. "Anytime you have to get five outs against a major league team, it's a very difficult situation," Yost said. "He has been as good as we could expect or hope." Yost won't say it, but we will: Torres deserves to close over Gagne for as long as he pitches well. Consider Torres an outstanding sleeper as a closer, especially since the Brewers have been a resurgent team in the past week. Gagne is nothing more than a DL stashee in deeper leagues at this point. He is not a trustworthy closer, even once healthy

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