The Minnesota Twins, not satisfied with having the best bullpen ERA in the American League, went out last night and got themselves another bullpen arm.
Fuentes is a solid addition for the Twins
The Twins acquired LHP Brian Fuentes from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for a player to be named later. Fuentes had a 3.52 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, struck out 9.2/9, and 23 saves in 39 games for the Angels this year.
Fuentes is having a much better year than last year when he was mediocre at best for the Angels. Despite leading the American League in saves with 48, Fuentes wasn’t that effective for the Angels. He had an ERA around 4.00 and a WHIP of 1.40. Not good at all.
As I mentioned earlier, Fuentes has been much better in his second season of the two-year deal he signed with the Angels in the winter of 2009. He has been especially tough on lefties this year. Lefties are only hitting .132 versus Fuentes in 2010.
The Twins will use Fuentes as an eighth inning setup man and that is why I really like this acquisition by the Twins. As I have said many times before about Fuentes, he is much better suited to be a setup man on a good team rather than a closer for a World Series team. Fuentes is moving into that role, which I think suits him best.
The Twins have done a very good job patching together the back end of their bullpen after All Star Joe Nathan went down in spring training. Jon Rauch was solid filling in for Nathan as the closer for the first half of the season. Matt Capps and his 2.08 ERA and six saves have been good (he is bending, but not breaking ) since coming over from the Washington Nationals, and now Fuentes should provide a nice bridge to Capps.
Fuentes will be available tonight for the Twins when they face the Seattle Mariners.
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