Angels Rumors: LA Seeking Late-Inning Reliever
By Editorial Staff
The Los Angeles Angels have had quite the offseason, snagging arguably the free agent market’s top hitter and pitcher. With the spring approaching, it looks like the Angels may still have a move or two up their sleeve. Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports hears from sources that the Angels are “likely to add a late-inning reliever before Opening Day”.
Entering the offseason, there was speculation that the Angels may eventually be in play for one of the market’s many available late-inning arms, and were most notably tied to closer Ryan Madson. Ultimately the money wasn’t a match for LA, and Madson eventually signed with the Reds.
While they missed out on Madson, the righty’s move to Cincinnati could increase the chances of a former Red landing in LA. Morosi noted that the Angels have shown interest in former Reds closer Francisco Cordero this offseason.
Cordero is the loan player seen as a true closer left on the open market. Last season for the Reds the right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.019 WHIP in his 69 2/3 innings pitched, compiling 37 saves over that span. Since joining the Reds prior to the 2008 season, Cordero has maintained an ERA of 2.96 and 1.296 WHIP over his 279 1/3 IP. The 36-year-old has tallied 327 saves over his 13 years in the league.
Young right-hander Jordan Walden tallied 32 saves in his first full year as the Angels closer in 2011 with an ERA of 2.98 and WHIP of 1.243. Still, LA may want to add a veteran arm such as Cordero to the mix, giving them another option in case Walden falters in his sophomore campaign.
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