On Scioscia's watch
A look at Mike Scioscia's record as manager
of the Angels:
The Angels couldn't acquire left-hander Brian Fuentes when they needed a setup man. But they did land him when they needed a new closer.
Fuentes was a target at the trade deadline in July when the Angels were looking to strengthen their bullpen for the stretch run. They could not work out a deal with the Rockies that would have added Fuentes as a setup option leading to closer Francisco Rodriguez.
But with Rodriguez gone via free agency, the Angels targeted Fuentes again. This time, they landed the free agent reliever, signing him to a two-year, $17.5 million contract to replace Rodriguez in 2009.
The contract includes an option for a third season at $9 million.
"Brian Fuentes has been in our sights for some time," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said. "Brian joining Jose (Arredondo), Scot Shields, (Justin) Speier and (Darren) Oliver should give us a good opportunity to close games."
Had the Angels been able to re-sign free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, that opportunity would most likely have gone to Shields. The longtime setup man would have represented a cheaper alternative at closer, something the Angels' budget might have required following a big-ticket commitment to Teixeira.
When Teixeira opted to sign with the Yankees, the Angels had money to spend and chose to replace Rodriguez with a pitcher more familiar with the ninth-inning role. Fuentes has had 30 or more saves in three of the last four years with the Rockies.
"I knew with Frankie on the free agent market I had a chance to get to Anaheim," Fuentes said. "Being from California, it's always nice to stay here and have that comfort zone.
"The Angels are a class organization. They're in the playoffs just about every year, and I hear (Mike) Scioscia is a players' manager."
