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The Los Angeles Angels went through changes this offseason, which included losing Shohei Ohtani. The team also hired long-time manager Ron Washington to right the ship in Los Angeles. However, Washington is dealt a tough task after losing Ohtani.
The Angels are not expected to be very competitive in 2024, and FanGraphs projects just a 73-89 record for them this year. If they want to outperform that record, though, they will need to come up big in every department. The bullpen will be especially key for this Los Angeles team after finishing with a 4.66 ERA last season (seventh-highest in the majors).
So, who is the Angels current starting closer? Who could take his job in 2024?
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Who is the Angels Starting Closer?
There are a lot of question marks about this Angels squad heading into the season. However, the one area Washington does not have to worry about is the closer position. The manager said in late February that Carlos Estevez will be the team's closer this year.
Estevez was Los Angeles' primary closer in 2023, and there's no surprise that he will open the season in that role again. He finished with a 3.90 ERA, 78 strikeouts, and 31 saves across 63 appearances last year.
Carlos Estévez #Angels threw a clean seventh inning with two Ks. No m.p.h. readings on the contest televised pic.twitter.com/qSYwdvnCzq
— Greg Jewett (@gjewett9) March 18, 2024
The only reason there was even a slight hesitation on Estevez in the closer role in 2024 was because of his struggles toward the end of last year. In the first four months (April - July), he had a 1.88 ERA, 23 saves, no blown saves, and 53 strikeouts. But, in the final two months (August and September), he blew four saves and had an 8.38 ERA.
Who Could Take His Job in 2024?
Estevez is the team's starting closer in 2024, and it's his job to lose. He is the only pitcher on the roster with closer experience, which should work in his favor. The 31-year-old, though, might have a shorter leash this year due to his struggles in the final two months.
If that's the case and Estevez does lose his closer role, the Angels would likely turn to a mixture of relievers to close out games. Robert Stephenson saved one game for the Rays last year, Matt Moore had five saves with the Rangers two years ago, and Jose Cisnero saved one game with the Angels in 2023.
Robert Stephenson Questionable For Opening Day https://t.co/Ggj9MzZzf0 pic.twitter.com/xDHMgozo75
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 16, 2024
Estevez was elite to begin the season, and he might have been battling an injury toward the end of the year, or arm fatigue played a factor. Either way, though, he will be the Angels closer to begin the 2024 season.
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