Could Arredondo be closing in Anaheim next year?
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PrintIf the Angels spend money on signing some of their other free agents, might they let Francisco Rodriguez walk and try the unproven Arredondo, or would that be too much of a gamble for a rich-market team like them? It sure looks to me like he could do the job. Or if they let K-Rod go (and by the way - what's the deal with "K-Rod"? His name doesn't begin with K, and I suppose it refers to his strikeouts, which is equally dumb since strikeout doesn't start with K either? How about now that he has the saves record we call him S-Rod? Or after he signs for a bajillion dollars this year, he could be $-Rod? Oops, no - already got one of those. But I digress...), might the Angels go with a crappy veteran knowing they got Arredondo in reserve? What do others think?
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k-rod and his succesor
i believe he’s called k-rod because when he first got called up he was striking almost everybody out. yes it’s stupid, but that’s why.
as for his succesor, i think the obvious candidate (assuming he doesn’t resign) is scot shields. arredeondo could be the set up guy and they’d have a pretty good 8th and 9th inning combos. sort of like when billy wagner left houston, dotel became the closer. then when dotel left, lidge became the closer.
i don’t think there’s a huge difference between getting guys out in the 8th compared to the 9th (unless we’re talking about latroy hawkins). and shields has picked up a few saves over the last few years when they’ve rested k-rod.
Could he? Yes.
Will he? Who knows?
I will say this, my official position on the issue as an A’s fan is that I desperately hope they re-sign him.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Shields could step in
And close for at least a season or two, depending on whether or not Arredondo is ready.
Arredondo
Personally, I really doubt that they sign K-Rod. The Angels have more pressing needs then keeping their star closer. He has already made it clear he wants to test the market and go for the maximum contract so really there is no need to spend 15 million per year for a closer. I grabbed Arredondo in my keeper league thinking that the Angels may give him a shot next year and am interested to see what happens in spring training. With his results to date I see no reason why Arredondo could not succeed in the role.
"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift
by King Billy Royal on Sep 20, 2008 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
K-Rod
From what I recall, and have heard, Frankie Rodriguez has stated that he is leaving Anaheim once the season is over, due to the agitation of not getting a multi year deal done before the season. I wish I had a source link to this, but I remember reading it. I think Shields will probably get the nod as the closer, but Arredondo will set up and be the closer if anything happens to Shields.
Leaving Anaheim
Rodriguez can threaten that he’s leaving, but it’s not going to mean anything until the offseason when Anaheim has to make a choice whether to keep him or not. He’s not going to just up and leave out of spite. There are plenty of times when guys say they’re going to leave a place as a ploy to get the deal they want. K-Rod will wait and see what’s on the table before he makes any drastic decisions like writing the Angels off.
He said that
He said in an interview a few weeks ago he hasn’t ruled out the Angels despite the idea that he was “gone.” I believe him, how could you play at any level of success in his position if your heart isn’t in it?
angels closer
My opinion is that big money spent on K-rod has more negative potential than positive. The ridiculous delivery, the slight drop in stuff, location, and ratios tell me that the fantastic 5 year career is eroding as it naturaly should be.
I think one very solid option would be to send Escobar to the closer’s role. This will give Arredondo a little more time to learn (and a chance for the Angels to see if he can repeat).
Taking that money saved by not signing K-Rod would be better spent on Tex if they can pull that off.
Then replacing Garland with another Garland type this off-season, or resigning him would leave the Angels with the same staff they destroyed the AL with this year WITHOUT Escobar.
This would also keep the mileage on Escobar to a minimum, which could mean they could get something out of his contract on 09 rather than collecting insurance money from his DL stint.
Shields in my opinion is not the best bet for the Angels closer, although he is nice to have in the bully as insurance. Shields is not what he was 3 years ago. Still nice, but he can be VERY shaky from time to time.
What is the health status of Escobar, anyway?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
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