Blown Save Raises Questions

Last night's loss to the Seattle Mariners raises some questions the Angels will need to address this off-season, if not sooner.  Closer Frankie Rodriguez, who will become a free agent after this season, looked awful in the ninth inning giving up 3 runs while recording just one out.  K-Rod has been very good this season, on pace to shatter the season save record, but my perception of Frankie's season is that he seems to be living on the edge in most of his appearances.  His BB/IP and H/IP are up, while his strikeouts are down.  Not a good sign.  Of his 56 games this season, he has only 17 appearances in which he pitched at least an inning and did not allow a base runner.  This is the first time in his career he has allowed batters' OBP to exceed .300.  Is he hurting?  I don't know, but I went back and watched last night's outing and noted he topped out at 91mph.  I then went and watched a couple games from 2006 and saw him throwing 94-95.  It doesn't seem like he can blow hitters away like he used to.  Instead, he's trying to hit corners or make hitters swing at curves and sliders out of the zone.  Hitters have been more patient by not swinging at his off-speed stuff, waiting for him to throw a strike or taking a base on balls.  Either way, resulting in more base runners.  He no longer just goes right after a hitter with what used to be an overpowering fastball.  Some pitchers will hide an injury while they try to work through it.  Earlier this year, Indians closer Joe Borowski stated he felt like he was throwing underwater because his shoulder was hurting.  He stated this after giving up 7 earned runs over his previous three games.  Would have been nice to have mentioned that earlier, Joe.  If Frankie is hurting would he say anything?  He's got 15 million reasons not too.  As his free agency approaches, an injury would jeopardize his big payday. 

The Angels aren't going to make any changes this year, nor should they unless K-Rod's performances the next few outings match last night's, but their closer situation will become one of the off season's top priorities.  K-Rod has already said he'll test the free agency market and is looking for a multi-year deal in the $15 million range.  If this is the case, the Angels should let him walk.  Use that cash to re-sign Mark Teixeira if they're able to.  If not, $15 million can go a long ways in building a dominating bullpen.  I've always been a proponent of not over-spending for a closer.  There always seems to be good relief pitching available.  The Angels already have a replacement available to them in Jose Arrendondo.  He's the best pitcher no one is talking about.  There are also options available in the minors in Jason Bulger.  Bulger, who will be 30 later this year and is considered old for a minor leaguer, had a brief shot in the majors this year, but was completely ineffective.  At AAA Salt Lake, Bulger has been very good.  In 38 innings he's struck out 67 batters and has not given up a home run.  Pretty impressive considering the small ballparks of the PCL.  In his 5.2 inning this year with the big club he gave up 7 hits, 2 of those home runs, but less than 6 innings isn't much of a sample size.  Last season, Bulger pitched just 6.3 innings and was somewhat effective.  He struck out 8 and gave up 5 hits (0 HR).  Again, not much of a sample size.  Bring him up, if not now, in September and see what he can do with more opportunities.  The Angels also have Kevin Jepsen down in AAA.  Jepsen just turned 24 and was a Futures Game selection.  At two levels this year, Jepsen has given up just 37 hits (3 HR) in 57 innings and has struck out 55 batters.  Another course the Angels could pursue is through trade.  The Halos have an abundance of positional players, both at the major league and minor league levels who can bring in bullpen depth.  Either way, the Angels will have some tough bullpen questions to answer very soon.

Daily Notes:

• The Mark Teixeira trade almost paid a huge dividend last night.  Teix hit a go ahead 2-run home run in the 3rd and then hit a game tying shot in the bottom of the 9th to keep the Angels in the game.  Since acquiring Teixeira and having hit ahead of Vlad Guerrero, Vladdy has gone 18 for 50 (.360) with 5 home runs and 16 RBI.  The Angels are 9-3 in the 12 games with Teix.
• Ervin Santana had another good outing, going 6.1 innings before tiring in the 7th.  His line would have looked better and he would have been in line for the win, but Howie Kendrick made a rare goof on a double play groundball that would have ended the inning with the lead intact.
• Garrett Anderson has an 18 game hit streak going.  Anderson has been on fire the second half of the season, hitting .387 during the streak.
• Magic Number: 28