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Raisel Iglesias 2021 Outlook: New Team, Same Trustworthy Closer
4 years agoThe Los Angeles Angels addressed one of their biggest weaknesses by trading for relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias. Cincinnati was looking to shed the Cuban closer's $9.1 million salary, and the Angels lacked an established closer. Actually, the Angels used five relievers to accumulate 12 saves last season and tied Philadelphia for the MLB lead with 14 blown saves. Enter Iglesias, who should provide stability to the ninth inning. Iglesias was his usual, reliable self in 2020 converting eight saves in 10 chances with a 2.74 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts in 23 innings. The sample size is obviously small, but going back to 2017 it's easy to see 2020 was a continuation of success. The 30-year-old righty averaged 31 saves per season since taking over the closer role with strong peripheral numbers such as a 28.4 percent career K-rate and a 3.44 FIP. Iglesias has a clear path to the closer role, a team that will provide enough save chances, and the ability to get batters out at a high level. Pencil him in for 25-30 saves while contributing strikeouts and quality ratios. Draft Iglesias with confidence as a top-10 reliever near pick 100 in fantasy drafts.
