The Angels' pickup of Brian Fuentes is a bargain relative to other recent closer/reliever contracts, and a great addition to their bullpen. The former Rockies closer is close enough to Francisco Rodriguez in stuff and performance, and it's possible that the Angels end up better off a year or two down the road than they would have been had they kept Rodriguez.
Fuentes is going to one of the best pitchers' parks in the American League -- one that reduces home run rates (good for a fly-ball-oriented pitcher like Fuentes) -- and should have a good defense behind him.
The concern with Fuentes on the mound is that he throws from such a low slot that right-handed hitters should be able to hit him, but they haven't done so for several years now. Like the Indians did with Kerry Wood, the Angels limited their exposure to just two years; the third year will vest if Fuentes finishes 55 or more games in 2010, which he'll only do if he's effective enough to remain the closer on a club that has Jose Arredondo and Scot Shields.
The longer deals given to free-agent relievers over the past few offseasons -- culminating in four-year deals for middle relievers Scott Linebrink and Justin Speier -- are, at least for the moment, things of the past.
If there's a problem with the signing, it's that the Angels' decision to shift their resources to their bullpen indicates their dissatisfaction with the offensive options on the free-agent market. Los Angeles' weakest area is its lineup, where it lacks both on-base skills and power, but its distaste for bad defensive players means the Pat Burrells and Bobby Abreus of the world aren't attractive, even though they could help the team on offense.
Barring any further additions, the Angels are probably just an 85-win team unless they get a breakout performance from a Brandon Wood or a Kendry Morales or full, healthy seasons from players like Juan Rivera and Howie Kendrick.
Keith Law
