TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -Brian Fuentes never felt that following the player who set the record for most saves in a season would be a problem.
“I got to actually have a say in where I wanted to go,” the left-hander said of his first foray into free agency. “There are a few places I could have went, but I thought this was my best fit.”
The Los Angeles Angels outbid several teams in obtaining Fuentes, who saved 30 games and posted a 2.73 ERA with Colorado last season.
He’ll be called on to fill the role vacated by Francisco Rodriguez, who set the single-season save mark (62) with the Angels last year. K-Rod signed as a free agent with New York Mets this winter.
Fuentes joins what appears to be a solid Angels bullpen, featuring relievers Scot Shields, Jose Arredondo, Darren Oliver and Justin Speier.
“It’s a unique opportunity to come in where the bullpen has been so strong for so long, especially as a closer,” Fuentes said. “If you have a one-run lead in the fifth, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to have some action in the ninth, so it’s a good feeling.”
kful for the strong pen, an area he feels his team could be the strongest in baseball.
“We have the arms to get the outs at the end of the game and we’re excited about that,” Scioscia said. “We’ve been very fortunate over the years that we’ve had the guy to slam the door and we feel we have that guy again.”
Fuentes became the Rockies closer in 2005. Since then he’s accumulated 111 saves in a hitter’s ballpark, the only home park he’s ever known.
“I always tell people that the biggest thing (in Colorado) is the recovery time,” Fuentes said. “The elevation, your body doesn’t recover as fast, your muscles don’t recover as fast. At sea level, your body bounces back quicker.”
Fuentes will leave with Shields to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in two weeks, giving him two weeks to get adjusted to his new club.
Free agency “is exciting, stressful and fun,” Fuentes said. “There are so many emotions, the first time going through free agency. … This is a pretty similar clubhouse. Colorado is a pretty loose clubhouse and I know things will really heat up as the games get closer.”
Fuentes isn’t concerned with how he stacks up against Rodriguez.
“Comparisons are for other people,” Fuentes said. “The only pressure I’ll see is what I put on myself.”
Notes: Vladimir Guerrero and newcomer Bobby Abreu arrived early to camp Tuesday. Scioscia said outfielder-designated hitter Juan Rivera would arrive on the 24th.
Add A Comment