Featured card: 2007 Topps Heritage All-Star subset Brian Fuentes #494

The Angels have signed Brian Fuentes and it obviously gives the end of the bullpen a different look - with a decidedly different type of guy. To be honest, the typical Angels' fans are likely thinking Fuentes still isn't Troy Percival, but at least he isn't Frankie [who they've had enough of]. For the Angels, it is a shorter commitment with less money for a pitcher who would seem to be as good as former closer K-Rod was in 2008 [except for the number of saves]. Less money and less years probably allows like Jose Arredondo or Kevin Jepsen to step in at some point in their careers to make a play for the eventual closer's job.

As much as he is a departure from K-Rod - Angels fans are expecting this guy to be a hammer out of the bullpen and that may not be realistic.

Fuentes was a three-time all-star [2005, 2006 and 2007], but Fuentes also lost his job midway through the 2007 season - I still remember questions about his all-star credentials during the time he struggled that season and was demoted in the Colorado Rockies' bullpen. Hopefully it was just a bump in the road and he doesn't do something like implode [blows 10-12 saves/gives up 10-15 home runs] and/or miss the rest of the season doing something stupid.

K-Rod is a goner

Angels fans knew how this was going to turn out and instead of being a pariah in Anaheim the [animosity over a signing long-term deal, mound/celebration antics, 'nervous save' moments] - Francisco Rodriguez can have a fresh start in New York [providing his arm doesn't pop off].

He was pushed out the door, but as I thank him for his service in Angels' organization for 10 years - it is time to move on.

You figure he has done all he can - helped the Angels to a 2002 World Series Championship and set the bar with his single-season saves record.

While it falls a bit short of what he and his agent were probably looking to get - K-Rod got his money [about $37 million] and also three years to close for a New York Mets team that was desperate for a star reliever / closer type.

I'm sure there are Angels' fans rejoicing the moment K-Rod inked his deal with the Mets - but there is always a caveat. I have trust in the Angels' organization to replace him but the time is now for either Jose Arredondo or Scot Shields.

Thank you K-Rod

As a California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels' fan, I hear and read the sentiment bantered about closer Francisco Rodriguez - he is considered one of the best in the game or terribly overrated.

There is a 'common-sense' sentiment against those who frankly do not want him in a Halos uniform past 2008 - that a closer who pitches 60 innings a year is just not worth $15 million a year. Tell that to guys like Joe Nathan or Mariano Rivera...

I like him just the way he is and it maybe sacriligious, but I think he is worth $15 million a year for the next four years to a team like the Angels - who are likely pennant contenders each year.

If you are a second division team, who cares if you have scrap heap guys closing for you - his record setting 58th save in a 5-2 over the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 13 punctuated his Angels' career as one of the greatest in the history of the franchise.

Derided for his post game celebratory antics and his 'shaky' 2008 season - K-Rod is an elite talent whose career achievements in a Halos uniform will not easily be duplicated.