ANAHEIM — The Angels filled a major need on Monday, acquiring right-hander Raisel Iglesias and cash from the Reds for right-hander Noé Ramirez and a player to be named.
The Angels led the Majors with 14 blown saves in 2020 and non-tendered five relievers on Wednesday, including former closer Hansel
ANAHEIM — The Angels filled a major need on Monday, acquiring right-hander Raisel Iglesias and cash from the Reds for right-hander Noé Ramirez and a player to be named.
The Angels led the Majors with 14 blown saves in 2020 and non-tendered five relievers on Wednesday, including former closer Hansel Robles. Iglesias, 30, can step right in as closer, as he has a career 3.15 ERA and 106 saves in six seasons with the Reds.
The right-hander posted a 2.74 ERA with eight saves in 17 appearances (10 save chances) in 2020 after recording a career-high 34 saves and a 4.16 ERA in ’19. Iglesias is set to be a free agent after next season. He’s due to make $9.125 million in 2021, which is why Cincinnati is sending money in the deal.
OFFICIAL: The #Angels have acquired RHP Raisel Iglesias from the Cincinnati Reds.
Welcome to the Halos! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ka5XxQub4o
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) December 7, 2020
Ramirez, 30, was a solid reliever for the Angels for four seasons, posting a 4.04 ERA, including a 3.00 mark in 21 innings in 2020. But the club was in need of a reliever with closing experience and Iglesias fits the bill. Iglesias is one of only five closers with at least 100 saves over the last five years, joining Edwin Díaz, Kenley Jansen, Brad Hand and Alex Colomé. Ramirez also has the fewest blown saves of anyone in that group over that timeframe.
The Angels have struggled to find a consistent closer in recent years, as the last reliever to reach 25 saves for the club was Huston Street in 2015, when he saved 40 games. Owner Arte Moreno indicated early in the offseason that finding a closer and relief help would be a major priority this offseason.
It’s the second significant move under new general manager Perry Minasian, who acquired shortstop José Iglesias from the Orioles on Wednesday. Coincidentally, Raisiel and José Iglesias were born a day apart in Cuba in 1990 but are not related.
Rhett Bollinger covers the Angels for MLB.com. He previously covered the Twins from 2011-18. Follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger and Facebook.
