The Angels have signed 33-year old lefty reliever Brian Fuentes to a 2-year, $17.5 million dollar contract with a option for the 2011 season. Fuentes pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last season and he was 1-5 with 30 saves, a 2.73 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He whiffed 82 batters in only 62.2 innings for the Rockies in 2008 which is quite impressive. Fuentes has now pitched in 438 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 17-27 with 115 saves, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He has whiffed a stunning 480 major league batters in 422 career innings! Fuentes will take over Francisco Rodriguez’ old job as the closer of the Angels and he will likely do a good job.

The Angels have re-signed 29-year old righty swinging outfielder Juan Rivera to a new 3-year deal. He played in 89 games for the Angels last season and he was 63 for 256 (.246 avg, .720 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 12 homers and 45 RBIs. He has now played in 555 games in his major league career and he is 497 for 1,748 (.284 avg, .799 OPS) with 224 runs scored, 72 homers and 278 RBIs. The Angels were smart to re-sign Rivera who should finally get his chance to get full time at bats in 2009.