Ranking the 5 AL West closers entering the 2023 season

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.