For now, Mike Scioscia has decided to use both Brian Fuentes and Kevin Jepsen in save situations. This is an unusual situation for the Angels. In the past we have always had a natural progression. In 2002 we had Troy Percival, who made you nervous at times, but always got the job down. Waiting in the wings was Franky. When Franky took over we had Scott Shields who could have easily done the job. And last year it looked like Jose Arredondo was runner-up. Angels fans are used to a near guaranteed victory after the sixth inning. Now we have a situation with a very shaky closer who does have over 40 saves, and a guy in Kevin Jepsen who is clearly ready to get in the mix.

Many believe Scioscia is simply hiding Jepsen and going to release him into the closer role when it matters, October. Others think Scioscia always sticks with his veterans, for better or for worse, and this situation will be no different. I have always believed that baseball is stuck with this closer position. Closers are usually, with one or two exceptions, over paid and overrated. The ideal way to bring your reliever in is when you can him the best match-ups. Why should the closer role be any different. Major League Baseball is becoming too caught up with star power and it’s just unnecessary.

I don’t believe the closer situation will change at all from the way it is now. If the Red Sox have the top of their lineup coming up in the ninth, that will likely consist of Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz, two lefties. Perfect situation for Brian Fuentes. So we end up with closer by committee, which what most teams should have anyway.