Angels Interested In Ryan Madson

First, I hope everyone reading this had a great Thanksgiving. Secondly, interesting reports came out this weekend about the Angels interest in free agent closer Ryan Madson. As I talked about earlier this off-season, I figured that Madson may be a target of theirs to be their closer next year.

Oct 1, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson (46) delivers to the plate during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of the 2011 NLDS at Citizen Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Cardinals 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

With the Reds in serious talks with Johnathan Broxton for a multi-year deal to close games, and Aroldis Chapman probably moving into the rotation, (a move that totally makes sense), maybe the Reds will be out on Madson which could pave the way for the Angels to swoop in and get a deal done.Madson had Tommy John Surgery last February, so he should be ready for Spring Training, and since he isn’t a starter, the recovery time from it could be shorter, which means if signed he could be ready for opening day (ironically in Cincinnati).Of course, some of this could depend on the whole Zack Greinke situation, which could be resolved next week at the Winter Meetings. Some of what the Angels can do is hamstrung by the what Greinke wants to do.

Ernesto Frieri will still be in the mix to close, but clearly the Angels are looking at other options, and outside the organization for those options between Madson and Kyuji Fujikawa. Joakim Soria could be another option if deals for either two of those pitchers fall through. I’m going to make a guess and say that the Angels have a closer by December 7^th, after the Winter Meetings in Nashville next week.