The Closer Report » LAA Angels
The Latest On The Closer Carousel/Circus: 5.12.2012
This has been without a doubt the worse year on record for major league closers. The amount of closers lost to injury times the number of closer with terrible starts, divided by the number of closers who have just lost the job is a formula even a Sabermetrics wannabee with a degree from MIT couldn’t compute. Since spring training has wrapped up, at least 17 closer jobs have changed hands due to any of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addison Reed, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Cashner, Boston Red Sox, Brian Fuentes, Bullpen Reports, Carlos Marmol, Casey Janssen, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Closers Rise and Fall, Colorado Rockies, Daniel Bard, Drew Storen, Fernando Rodney, Francisco Cordero, Francisco Rodriguez, Grant Balfour, Heath Bell, Hector Santiago, Henry Rodriguez, Huston Street, In-Season Analysis, Javy Guerra, John Axford, Jordan Walden, Kenley Jansen, LA Dodgers, LAA Angels, Mark Melancon, Matt Thornton, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, Ryan Madson, Santiago Casilla, Sean Marshall, SF Giants, Toronto Blue Jays
Closer Trade Deadline Rumors: Los Angeles Angels
By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com For those of you who think the Angels are out of it or for some reason are selling and not buying this trade deadline, think again. The Angels are only 2 games out of first place and by adding 2 or three players they can make a run not only for the division, but even the wild card ( 5 games back of New York). The Angels always need a bat … Read entire article »
Filed under: Heath Bell, Juan Oviedo, LAA Angels
Rodney Out For The Angels, Walden In
From Yahoo! Sports ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Angels right-hander Fernando Rodney(notes) has been dropped from the closer role to work on his mechanics. Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said on Tuesday that Jordan Walden(notes) will fill in for Rodney, who is working to make his delivery more compact. “We had a good conversion with Fernando,” Scioscia said. “We’ll get him out of the back end of the game and try to get him into a game where he … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fernando Rodney, LAA Angels
Top 10 Sleeper Closers For 2011
1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves – This guy is the right-handed version of Billy Wagner. With a 98MPH fastball and a propensity to strikeout batters, Kimbrel has what it takes to close. He’s on a great team that will provide him with plenty of save opportunities. He also lacked any serious competition in the Braves bullpen, though Venters is slightly capable. 2. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Last year I felt some heat with discussing … Read entire article »
Filed under: Andrew Bailey, Arizona D-Backs, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Brandon League, Chicago White Sox, Chris Perez, Chris Sale, Cleveland Indians, Craig Kimbrel, Drew Storen, Featured, Frank Francisco, Houston Astros, J.J. Putz, Jason Motte, Jonathan Broxton, LA Dodgers, LAA Angels, Oakland A's, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nats
Los Angels Angels Team Report – 1.19.2011
The LAA Angels will enter the 2011 season with veteran Fernando Rodney at the closer position. Rodney has shown that he can certainly handle the job, but he has never held the job for a full year. He has been plagued with injury and inconsistency throughout his career and that has prevented him from being a more stable and dominant closer. Let’s lay down the facts, Rodney has stellar stuff. He has a great fastball … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fernando Rodney, LAA Angels
The Closer Report: April 23, 2010
CLOSER NEWS:N/ASAVES:Brian Wilson (3) Wilson finally recorded a save. It was his first save since April 6, and he went out there with a vengeance. Besides a simple single, Wilson struck out the side for his third save of the season. His ERA remains at 0.00. Jonathan Papelbon (4) – Paps had another tough outing. He did get the save, but in the process looked wild walking two batters and giving up a hit. To put a positive spin on the save, he did intentionally walk Wiggington and he struck out Lugo to end the game. That is how expereinced closers do it. Francisco Rodriguez (2) – Recorded his second save in as many days. He is still lacking his trademark sharpness that we haven’t sen in awhile. He needed 22 … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arizona D-Backs, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, LAA Angels, New York Mets, SF Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays
The Closer Report: April 21, 2010
SAVES:Matt Lindstrom (4) – Lindstrom threw a near perfect 12 pitch inning giving up a lone hit. His WHIP (1.14) and ERA (3.86) are still a bit high, but both are coming down. Mariano Rivera (6) – Rivera is absolutely unhittable. He recorded his sixth straight save, but showed a chink in his armor. He gave up a hit and needed 26 pitches to close out the game. His season ERA is still 0.00.Jose Valverde (4) – Valverde made quick work of Angel hitters needing only 10 pitches to get his fourth save. He got one strikeout and lowered his WHIP to 1.00.Joakim Soria (4) – SOria got back on track with his fourth save of the season beating the Blue Jays 4-3. He had a quite 1-2-3 inning and struckout … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, LAA Angels, New York Yankees, SF Giants, Texas Rangers, Washington Nats
Brian Fuentes Expected to return Wednesday; Rodney Out?
Great news for all you Brian Fuentes owners. He is expected to return to the Angels when he is elgible to come on the DL on Wednesday April 21. Since Fuentes has been on the DL, former closr Fernando Rodney has taken over the role and has been perfect converting three saves in three chances. When asked what he would do upon Fuentes’s return, “Nothing’s changed,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “As we talked about from the beginning of the year, there are going to be games Fernando gets a chance to save even if Brian is active. That depth in the back end of our bullpen is important.” Rodney has been perfect retiring all nine batters he has faced. I would be hard to believe that come Wednesday and the … Read entire article »
Filed under: LAA Angels
Fernando Rodney signs with the Angels to backup Fuentes
The erratic and always fun to watch Brian Fuentes now has proven closer experience to make him even more nervous when he goes to mound. The Angels signed Rodney to a 2-year deal as an insurance policy for Fuentes. The funny part is, Rodney is nearly identical as Fuentes when it comes to statistics and consistency. Both have decent K/9 rates and high ERAs, but both can also close out when it matters. This signing kills Rodney’s value as we were hoping he’d sign on with a team as a closer. His value will be limited to a setup role and he should see scattered saves throughout the year. If Fuentes fails, Rodney will get the call. You may want to handcuff Rodney if you draft Fuentes. … Read entire article »
Filed under: LAA Angels
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