MLB Rumors: Late-Inning Ace Will Put Angels over the Top in American League

While the Los Angeles Angels have certainly gained plenty of attention in the offseason with the acquisitions of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, they are still a move away from being the top team in the American League. Either a closer or a late-inning setup man would take the Angels from likely the best team in the division to the best team in the American League.

The good news for the Angels is that that move is out there.

As Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports is reporting, Ryan Madson and Francisco Cordero are free agents, while Andrew Bailey, Brandon League, Joakim Soria and Carlos Marmol are all possibly available via trade. Morosi named the Angels one of the teams that "are likely to add closers before Opening Day."

The addition of one man makes a huge difference in the bullpen. It either adds depth to an already strong bullpen or puts one person in a slot that someone was reaching for before. In turn, that person gets to go back to his natural slot, as does everyone else.

Even if you're convinced that Jordan Walden is the team's best option at closer, bringing in any of those names wouldn't hurt. Make Walden battle that man for his job. Conversely, if the new guy wants to be a closer, make him step up and earn it with his performance.

That's not going to hurt their output.

Of the names mentioned above, the best option is Madson. Coming from Philadelphia, he's used to not being the closer. He only took that job this year. Before that, Brad Lidge was the man.

It won't be a tough adjustment for Madson to fall back into the setup role, and if Walden begins to slip or gets hurt, you know that Madson can step into the closer role again.

But any of those guys would make the Angels the clear favorites in the American League West. Their offense will be significantly better with Pujols in the middle. The pitching rotation of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and Wilson will stack up to any in a playoff series.

But playoff games and series are won by guys who step in in late innings and cut down the opposing team's top hitters. The addition of a strong late-inning man will give the Angels a tremendous edge in that spot over any potential opponent.

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