Troy Percival

; Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez, who has been their closer since taking over in 2004 from Troy Percival. Since then, he’s notched 178 saves for Anaheim, including a 47-save 2006 and a 45-save 2005, and has averaged 32 saves throughout his career (including about two seasons as Percival’s setup man).

Continue reading "K-Rod: King of Saves"

afting right there, and that’s their current rotation.

In the pen, they have veteran closer Troy Percival, out of baseball for a year before they took a chance and signed him to a two-year deal worth $8M. He’s responded with 19 saves in 21 opportunities, seventh in the AL in spite of a brief DL stint. They traded infielder Ty Wigginton for setup man Dan Wheeler (1.93/.938 ERA/WHIP), spare outfielder Joey Gathright and minor-league infielder Fernando Cortez to Kansas City for J.P. Howell, currently leading the AL relievers in IPs and Ks. They signed lefty specialist Trever Miller (making $1.6M and giving 3.92/1.36 back) and righty Gary Glover ($1.075M, 3.34/1.52). More smart trading and signing.

Continue reading "Hold On To Your Hats"

Carlos Pena, Cliff Floyd and Troy Percival should provide veteran leadership to help this young team through the grind of the Major Leage season. The Rays won't contend for the division this year, but could finish around .500 and prove to be problematic for the teams at the top of the division. With more talent from the minors on the way, especially top pitching prospects Wade Davis and David Price, Tampa Bay might be able to contend with the big boys in a couple of years.

Continue reading "American League East is a Beast of a Division"