CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 14: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Former Reds reliever Raisel Iglesias is headed to Anaheim as the Angeles remake their bullpen with a top-flight closer.
The Los Angeles Angels are once again going to shake things up in their eternal quest to build a somewhat competent team around Mike Trout, and new general manager Perry Minasian has been one of the most active executives in the league this offseason as he tries to finally accomplish that goal. Rather than pay nine figures for another power hitter, Minasian has acquired one of the most underrated relief pitchers in the game in Raisel Iglesias.
The Angels officially announced they acquired Iglesias from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for reliever Noe Ramirez and a player to be named later. This is the second trade this offseason for the Angels after acquiring shortstop Jose Iglesias from the Baltimore Orioles.
Raisel Iglesias has quietly become an elite closer with the Reds
After failing as a starter, Iglesias reinvented himself in the bullpen, serving as an ace fireman for five seasons and Cincinnati’s closer for four. In his five seasons as a reliever, the 30-year-old Iglesias has had an ERA of 2.74 or lower in all but one of those seasons, saving 106 games along the way. With a 1.84 FIP and176 ERA+, the 2020 season was one of the finest in Iglesias’ career.
The lack of consistency in the bullpen was a major factor in Joe Maddon’s disappointing 2020 season. While the likes of Mike Mayers and Felix Pena had some success, this team switched closers with regularity, with Ty Buttrey and his 5.81 ERA leading the team in saves with just five. Given his heavy sinker and his wipeout slider, Iglesias should help end those ninth-inning question marks in Los Angeles.
Iglesias might’ve flown under the radar by virtue of playing on plenty of bad Reds teams in the past, but he should be able to finally get the credit and respect he deserves if he keeps shutting hitters down with the Angels.