Fuentes gets what he wants, but do we?

The rumor that the Angels would be going outside for a closer ended up being true. Although, the excitement around the ADC website seemed to wear off pretty quickly. Just about 5 hours after the Angels announced the signing of Fuentes to bolster their bullpen, the top story on the Angels official website changed to a story about the MLB Network titled, "The Wait Is Amost Over!" So, how are fans supposed to feel about a story that even ADC isn't lastingly excited about? 

Let's be perfectly honest, I know that every half assed Angel fan was spouting this guys stats at their various New Year's parties last night, "This guy is legit, he has 115 career saves! He had 30 saves in 34 chances last year!" Okay, let's just stop and admit it, you (just like me) have never heard of this guy. I mean, you noticed his name in some Sports Center highlights, and you briefly remember him throwing a few balls in the 2007 World Series (his worst season to date, by the way), but you really don't know anything about him. However, every Angels fan around the land is excited about getting this guy for a two year $17.5 million dollar deal ($8.5 in 2009, $9 in 1010, and a club option of $9 in 2011 if he's any good or if 'Dondo still isn't ready). So much for my idea of moving Shields into the closer role. Anyway, when it comes to baseball there is only one way to get to know someone; so, let's look at the numbers. 

The 6'4/220 lefty out of Merced, CA (what was all that local boy stuff?) was the 25th round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1995. He pitched just 10 games for the M's in 2001 (when he finally made it to the bigs), going 1-1 in 11.7 innings with a 4.63 ERA, and he was not used as a closer (actually, he was not used as a closer in reality until 2005). He was off to Colorado, which is usually were pitchers go to die, and this is wear he somehow became the most "underrated closer in the National League." Let's cut him some slack and pretty much skip 2002-2004 where he went a combined 7-7 with a combined ERA of 4.37. In 2005, the Rocks decided to turn Fuentes into a closer, because they thought he had that kind of makeup (it takes a special kind of guy, right?). His first shot at things in 2005 finished with a 2-5 record, 31 saves and a 2.91 ERA. He had 91 Ks and 31 BBs in 74.3 innings pitched. He followed up his 31 save season (which would be his all time best) with a 2006 campaign of 3-4, 30 saves, and a 3.44 ERA. He had 73 Ks and 26 BBs in 65.3 innings pitched. In keeping with even numbers, Fuentes had 20 saves to go along with his 3-5 record and 3.08 ERA in 2007; earning 56 Ks and 23 BBs in his 61.3 innings pitched (see it decreasing each year?). Finally, last season Fuentes went 1-5, with 30 more save, and a 2.73 ERA. He nailed down 82 Ks and 22 BBs (pretty damn solid in that K/BB ratio) in his 62.6 innings. Let's just throw in Frankie's innings pitched as a closer since 2005 to see how Fuentes matches up: 67.3, 73, 67.3, and 68.3; and just to be mean his saves in that same span: 45, 47, 40, and the MLB record of 62. Will Fuentes (could his nickname simply be "My BFF"? We'll try it later.) be able to handle the large amount of save opportunities that the Angels will hopefully give him? 

You know I love a good split, so let's delve a little deeper into My BFFs 2008 season (what do you think?) and compare him with our forgotten closer who shipped off to the NYC. Brian held righties to a .211 BAA, while keeping lefties down to .184 (Frankie left righties at .205 and lefties at .227). Brian got his 30 saves out of 41 chances (not too hot, in reality), while Frankie got his 62 saves in 69 attempts (showing Fuentes is going to have to pick things up). Fuentes clearly benefits from getting his rest, as with 0 days rest he held down a 3.46 ERA, with 1 day off he held a 4.30, with 3 days rest he held a 2.89, and with 4+ days rest he never gave up a single run (11 games). Frankie was better with less rest to a certain point, holding a 1.35 ERA with 0 days rest, a 4.67 ERA with 1 day rest, a 2.45 ERA with 2 days rest, a 1.00 ERA with 3 days rest, and a 2.25 ERA with 5 days rest (keeping his ERA at 0 when pitching on 4 and 6+ days rest, which represented just 4 games). Rest is a priviledge for the Angels closer, not a right, and Fuentes only pitched 14 of his games on zero days rest (with his majority of games, 24,  coming on 1 day rest with that inflated 4.30 ERA), showing he better come to Spring Training tuned up and ready for a lot of action. How about the switch to the American League? Not really much to go on to base you findings. Fuentes played 7 games against his American counterparts, and nailed down 5 saves with a 3.00 ERA (5 punch outs and 4 walks). 

So, what do we think? Positive people can point out that Fuentes was named to the All-Star team for three straight year, but can't I argue that it was because he was on the Rockies and they had to send someone? Negative people can point out that Brian lost his closer tole in 2007 after blowing four saves in an eight day period only to gain it back early in 2008 after his replacement stunk it up, but can't I argue that we've seen some of our favorite Angels players blowing games night after night? He has a wacky sidearm delivery, which should get fans excited, and has a wife and four kids, showing that he is a honest family man. He still makes his hometown in Merced, which we'll have to work on. I think the angle we have to take in this one is that the Angels could have filled their closer role from within with ease, however, we all should have been prepared based on the past that the Angels would most likely go outside the organization to make it look like they try and make moves like a Champion should (per the American passion with the Yankees). So let's be happy and accepting of the signing of the California native, at least until he gives us a reason to feel otherwise. Welcome to the LSF, Brian. 

I need to end by pointing out that something bad may be brewing in baseball. The rumor as told by Yahoo! Sports is that the interest in Garret Anderson seems to be picking up. The Tampa Bay Rays have surfaced as a squad that may be interested, which would be great for GA to hang with Joe Maddon. However, the other squad in the race is the Oakland A's. If my former "current favorite" Angels player ends up playing for Oakland, I'm not sure what I would do. It would pain me like nothing I can really imagine. Think, Dodger fans, if Jeff Kent went to play for the Giants! How about, Blue Jay fans, if Casey Jansen signed with the Orioles (or whoever you're rival is)? These scenarios wouldn't bring up one eighth of the pain in you that I would feel if GA was wearing the Green & Yellow. Please, Garret, don't do it. 

By the way, who is going to be my new "current favorite?"