Brian Fuentes began the offseason as, theoretically, the second-most-coveted reliever, following a season in which he earned 30 saves and a 2.73 ERA. He also held left-handed batters to a .184 average, with 20 strikeouts in 49 at-bats.
The 33-year-old has been a closer and a set-up man, and he would always be effective, at the very least, as a matchup guy against lefty hitters. What's not to like?
Well, it's becoming increasingly clear that Fuentes might wind up getting a deal far less than he probably expected a year ago. Blame the economy, blame the fact that he's a Type A free agent and signing him means giving up a draft pick, and blame the fact that there happens to be a glut of closers on the market this winter.
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Executives believe his asking price will go down, and Fuentes may soon become one of the great bargains of the winter shopping season. Rather than landing a $30 million contract, Fuentes may eventually have to consider a three-year deal in the $15-18 million range.
Interested officials say their sense is that Fuentes just wants to land in a good spot at a fair price, and isn't necessarily obsessed with holding down a job as a closer. So where could he land? Here are 10 possibilities.
- Cardinals: They need a closer and they like Fuentes, but have balked at the price. Maybe that will change.
- Angels: If they lose out on Mark Teixeira, it would make sense for them to change direction quickly and add bullpen help, particularly in a year in which the Angels are transitioning out of the Francisco Rodriguez era at closer. Fuentes could help out by finishing games, if help was needed, and eventually wind up as a set-up guy.
- Dodgers: They need a closer, but given their other needs, they might spend elsewhere, rather than in the bullpen; L.A. always has the option of using Jonathan Broxton.
- Red Sox: They've got a couple of effective lefties in their bullpen, so Fuentes would be a luxury item -- and maybe if they lose out on Teixeira, they'll be of the mind to take their money and spend it elsewhere, perhaps loading up on pitching.
- Mets: K-Rod is the closer and J.J. Putz will be the primary set-up man, and they certainly have room and a need for a strong left-hander as well. But their focus is on adding a starting pitcher.
- Brewers: He would fit in nicely for them as a closer, but it remains to be seen whether GM Doug Melvin will be willing to spend money on a multiyear deal for a reliever again, and whether the Brewers would be open to losing a draft pick in a year in which they should already get compensation picks for both Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia.
- Yankees: They're going to add a starting pitcher and want to keep their options open in case some upgrade develops in the outfield. So while Fuentes would help them, undoubtedly, they probably will spend their remaining money elsewhere.
- Rays: They are confident they will add a hitter, and don't seem hyped up about getting a reliever. Hey, the Rays made the World Series while mixing and matching at closer in the postseason, so they really don't have a sense of urgency, but seem more inclined to wait to see if Troy Percival can return to be an effective closer. Still, this is a question worth considering: Would the Rays be better off spending on Fuentes rather than a hitter?
- Rockies: At the time they traded for Huston Street, they had fleeting hopes that Fuentes might find his way back to them with a modest three-year deal, which would enable them to trade Street.
- Braves: Atlanta has had a tough winter getting anyone to take their money. So maybe they change direction and bolster their bullpen with an addition like Fuentes. But again, the sacrifice of the draft pick might be a sticking point.
Around the majors with Buster Olney
Buster Olney
