Los Angeles Angels: Who Will Be the Closer in 2011?
The Los Angeles Angels have been very fortunate in having the services of reliable closers over the course of the past 14 seasons. Since 1996, only three finishers were needed by the Angels—Troy Percival, Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.
However, in 2011, the Angels don’t have a clear answer as to who their closer will be. When Fuentes was dealt to the Minnesota Twins in August of last year, Fernando Rodney was the clear choice to take over the closing role.
To say that Rodney spit the bit would be putting it mildly. During September of last season, Rodney imploded, blowing four saves and sporting a 5.65 ERA for the month, leading Angels manager Mike Scioscia to say the closer position is wide open entering the 2011 season.
"We have guys capable of pitching at the back end of games, and Fernando is going to be one of them," Scioscia said. "If he does what he did in the first half of last season, when he was lights-out, then our bullpen will line up the way we need it to. If there are things we need to adjust from, we will.
"We have some power arms from the right side and some balance on the left, and any one of five guys has the ability to get the last out of a game."
The five guys Scioscia mentioned are right-hander Kevin Jepsen, left-hander Scott Downs, acquired as a free agent from the Toronto Blue Jays, fireballer Jordan Walden, rookie Michael Kohn and free-agent acquisition Hisanori Takahashi, who saved eight games for the New York Mets in 2010.
We will take an in-depth look at all six closing candidates for the Los Angeles Angels, and give you the opportunity to make your own determination.
And here we go:
1. Fernando Rodney
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Fernando Rodney has 84 career saves, 37 of those coming in 2009, his last season with the Detroit Tigers. However, Rodney was not retained by the Tigers after sporting a 4.40 earned run average and showing signs of erratic performance.
Signed by the Los Angeles Angels to be their primary set-up man for Fuentes in 2010, Rodney was lights-out in the first half of the season, only to return to his erratic form once handed the closer’s position after the trade of Fuentes.
Rodney will have to show he can be dominant in the ninth inning in successive outings to prove to Mike Scioscia that he is indeed worthy of being handed the ball on a consistent basis.
2. Hisanori Takahashi
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In 2010, Hisanori Takahashi did literally everything asked of him by the New York Mets. Last year, his first season in the majors after being signed out of Japan, Takahashi appeared in 53 games for the Mets, starting 12 games and later saving eight games, serving as the closer for the injured Francisco Rodriguez.
Whether or not Takahashi can serve in the closer role full-time certainly will depend on the success or failure of Fernando Rodney during spring training, and Angels manager Mike Scioscia would no doubt prefer to use Takahashi in a more versatile role.
If any of the five starters in the Angels rotation falters or suffers an injury, Takahashi could easily step in and fill the void.
Takahashi will also prove valuable in the bullpen in a variety of ways, either in a set-up role, as a left-handed specialist or as a long reliever. Takahashi will be a valuable piece of the Angels pitching staff in 2011 in whatever capacity he serves.
3. Kevin Jepsen
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Kevin Jepsen was clearly one of the more consistent relievers for the Los Angeles Angels in 2010, appearing in 68 games with a respectable 3.97 earned run average and averaging just over one strikeout per inning pitched.
Jepsen is still prone to bits of wildness, however, as his career WHIP of 1.451 would indicate. Still, with an explosive fastball, Jepsen appears to have the right stuff for the closer’s role if he can somehow control his command and location.
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4. Jordan Walden
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At just 22 years of age, the Angels are very high on the potential of fireballer Jordan Walden, who at times can hit 100 MPH with his blazing fastball.
In 22 appearances last season, Walden did nothing to disappoint, with a 2.35 earned run average and 23 strikeouts in just 15 innings of work.
Age and inexperience will be a factor in Mike Scioscia’s decision, but if Walden continues his positive development, he could clearly be the closer for the Los Angeles Angels well into the future.
5. Michael Kohn
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Rookie Michael Kohn could get a serious look to close games for the Los Angeles Angels as well, if he can effectively harness his control issues. In 24 appearances for the Angels last season, Kohn struck out 20 in 21 innings, however he also walked 16 batters.
His 2.11 ERA was impressive, but manager Mike Scioscia goes absolutely bonkers at pitchers walking the entire lineup, and Kohn will have to show vast improvement in overall command if he were to get a serious look.
6. Scott Downs
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While Scott Downs has never been a closer during his nine-year career, he has shown great consistency out of the bullpen. Last season for the Toronto Blue Jays, Downs had a 2.64 earned run average in 67 appearances with nine saves, and left-handed batters have only hit .223 against Downs during his career.
However, Mike Scioscia needs set-up men, and Downs is perfect for this role, so look for him to continue in that vein with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011.
7. Who Do You Believe Should Be the Closer for the Los Angeles Angels in 2011?
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The last thing in the world that Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia wants to do in 2011 is to have a closer controversy. He is going to have enough to worry about in trying to improve upon the horrid offensive production of 2010.
However, if Fernando Rodney is unable to show he can be effective on a much more consistent basis, Scioscia will be tasked with the unenviable position of having to select a closer out of a crowded field.
Who do you believe should be the closer for the Los Angeles Angels in 2011? Chime in with your opinion and your reasons why in the comments section down below!
For continuing coverage of the Los Angeles Angels, follow Doug on Twitter @Sports_A_Holic.
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