LA Angels: Ranking the 5 AL West closers entering the 2023 season

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The Los Angeles Angels likely won't name a clear closer until the end of Spring Training if they even do name one. After the Halos traded Raisel Iglesias away they didn't really have a proven closer. Jimmy Herget was their best reliever and did get most of the save opportunities down the stretch, but the Angels mostly played that game-by-game.

The Halos signed Carlos Estevez to be an arm in the back end of their bullpen alongside Herget. Whether Estevez wins the closer job at any point remains to be seen, but he'd be my pick to serve as the closer if the Angels want to name someone to fill that role. I know that's something he wants to do as well.

Assuming Estevez does get the role, how does he compare to the other closers in the AL West?

5) Trevor May - Oakland Athletics

Trevor May hasn't officially been named the closer, but I can't imagine Oakland gives him $7 million dollars to do anything but close games for them. May spent his last two seasons with the Mets and was a decent set-up man for them.

Injuries played a role in his lackluster 5.04 ERA this past season but once he got healthy he pitched well. He posted a 3.24 ERA and a 2.75 FIP in 18 appearances and 16.2 innings pitched following a three-month stint on the Injured List.

May does not have experience as a closer but has been a reliable late-game arm for a while now. This should be a good pickup for Oakland with the potential to net them something in a trade at the deadline when they're out of contention.

4) Jose Leclerc - Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers don't have a set closer as of now for the 2023 season. It's possible they sign someone in free agency, but it's also possible they use one of their internal options. If they do go internal, Jose Leclerc is likely their top choice as of now.

Leclerc looked like the Rangers' closer of the future with electric stuff but Tommy John Surgery kept him out of action for much of two seasons. Leclerc came back this past season and made 39 appearances for Texas. The results were encouraging.

A 2.83 ERA in 39 appearances to go along with a 3.71 FIP is definitely solid. The walks were high (4.0 BB/9) but so were the strikeouts (10.2 K/9). The fact that he doesn't have many innings in the last three seasons combined with not even having the closer spot secured is why he's low on this list.

3) Carlos Estevez - Los Angeles Angels

The Angels signed Estevez to a two-year deal this offseason in a deal I like. Estevez is a hard-thrower, something this Angels bullpen lacks, and seems to be only getting better. He's coming off his best season as he posted a 3.47 ERA in 62 appearances for Colorado.

The right-hander does not have extensive closing experience, saving 25 games in his six-year career, but he has saved 11 games in two separate seasons.

Estevez is a guy who was always punished by Coors Field (5.57 ERA) but pitched well on the road (3.51 ERA). It'll be interesting to see what he does pitching in a much better environment for pitchers for a full season. I'm expecting big things.

2) Paul Sewald - Seattle Mariners

Paul Sewald's career looked like it was going nowhere as he posted a 5.50 ERA in four seasons as a member of the Mets. The Mariners gave Sewald a chance on a minor league deal prior to the 2021 campaign, and the right-hander hasn't looked back since.

Sewald had a 3.06 ERA in 62 appearances for Seattle in 2021 serving primarily as a set-up man, but he did record 11 saves. Sewald began this season as a set-up man again but pitched his way into more save opportunities. Sewald converted 20 of his 25 opportunities while also tacking on eight holds.

Overall, Sewald had a 2.67 ERA in 65 appearances in 2022. He's armed with a fastball opponents hit just .144 against and a slider which opponents hit just .148 against. He's really good, and should be a solid closer in 2023.

1) Ryan Pressly - Houston Astros

Ryan Pressly was nothing more than a solid reliever in his six seasons as a Twin. Ever since the Astros traded for him at the 2018 trade deadline, he's transformed into one of the league's best relievers. He made the all-star team as a set-up man in 2019 which is incredibly hard to do. He took over the closer role in 2020 and hasn't looked back since.

Pressly missed some time with injury this past season but had one very dominant stretch. From June 25th to July 24th Pressly made nine appearances and pitched 10 innings. In those innings he did not allow a single baserunner and struck out 17. He essentially threw 10 perfect innings. Even though he's not a starting pitcher, to do that in consecutive outings is very hard to do.

Pressly recorded 33 saves in 37 opportunities and threw 11 scoreless innings while converting all six of his save opportunities in the postseason. Just a dominant season from the Astros closer who should be very good once again in 2023.

Next. Ranking the 5 best starting pitchers in Angels history. dark

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5) Trevor May - Oakland Athletics

4) Jose Leclerc - Texas Rangers

3) Carlos Estevez - Los Angeles Angels

2) Paul Sewald - Seattle Mariners

1) Ryan Pressly - Houston Astros

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