The Los Angeles Angels have made a needed move at closer, but it has left the position in a state of flux.
The Los Angeles Angels had hoped that Cody Allen would be the answer in the back of their bullpen, at least for the 2019 campaign. He had a down year in 2018, but still had five consecutive years with at least 24 saves during his time in Cleveland. While save totals are essentially meaningless beyond fantasy baseball, it is still enough for teams to regard Allen as a Proven Closer(tm).
However, those struggles have followed Allen to Los Angeles. He has posted a 5.40 ERA and a 1.560 WHiP in his 8.1 innings, striking out nine batters, but also issuing seven walks. Yes, Allen had been perfect in all four of his save opportunities, but his performance hardly inspired confidence. Given those struggles, the Angels have taken Allen out of the closer role, at least for the time being.
Cody Allen is not the #Angels closer right now, Brad Ausmus said. They are going to use some other guys while they try to get him back pitching well.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 24, 2019
In doing so, this puts the back of the Angels bullpen in a state of flux. Luis Garcia and Hansel Robles are the only other pitchers on the Angels roster to have a save this season, and have recorded one each. Cam Bedrosian has experience in that role, and was once considered the closer of the future in Los Angeles. He could find his way into the mix as well.
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The most logical candidate for the role may be Ty Buttrey. However, the Angels seem to be more inclined to use him in a fireman role, attempting to quell any rallies in the later innings. He also was saddled with a blown save on Wednesday night, as he entered the game with the bases loaded and a two run lead. A sacrifice fly and a fielder’s choice tied the game, leading to that blown save.
It is possible that Garcia gets the first look to close games out. He has seven years of experience, and has functioned well as a setup man. However, at this point, the Angels may go to that dreaded closer by committee.
Should Allen find himself once again, and look like the solid reliever he had been, it is highly probable that he regains the closer role. The question is whether or not that will happen, especially as Allen has seen a loss of velocity over the past two seasons and is not fooling anybody. However, if he can be effective with his diminished stuff, he will likely return to that role.
The Los Angeles Angels closer role is in a state of flux, as Cody Allen has been removed from that role. of course, he could reclaim that role in time.