Fuentes in Anaheim

This Angels preview focuses on Brian Fuentes, their new closer. Fuentes was a Timber Rattler in 1997.

Even from Denver, Brian Fuentes reveled in Francisco Rodriguez's record 62 saves last season.

"It's a fraternity of closers," Fuentes said one morning this spring, "and to watch him do what he did was pretty exciting.

"We were huddled around the TV, pulling for him to get it [the season-saves record]. I didn't have any interest in the Angels or the team they were playing, but from one closer to another, you pull for him to get it."

Things are different now. Fuentes and the defending American League West-champion Los Angeles Angels are pulling in the same direction this year.

Fuentes signed a two-year, $17.5 million contract on New Year's Eve to replace "K-Rod," who signed with the Mets. Rodriguez finished third in AL Cy Young voting while breaking Bobby Thigpen's saves record by five.

All involved are careful about assigning expectations.

"What I did last year and what Frankie did last year are irrelevant," said Fuentes, who grew up in the Mariners organization before spending seven seasons in Colorado, most of the last four as closer.

Check it out.