The drain-circling Los Angeles Angels have named Scott Downs as their new closer, Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times tweets. That means Jordan Walden has been bumped down to seventh- and eighth-inning detail.
This season, Downs has yet to allow a run in 7.0 innings, and last season he posted a sparkling 1.34 ERA in 53.2 frames. Downs has been fairly lights-out since the 2007 campaign, but he does have a bit of a platoon weakness, which is always a concern when it comes to left-handed closers.
As for Walden, he's coming off a blown save in Tampa, and he's given up four runs and four walks in 4.1 innings. That's not good, but it's also hardly an adequate data sample on which to base such a decision. Of course, it's possible that the Angels feel the need to "send a message" in some form or another.
The Angels haven't enjoyed much consistency from the closer's role since Francisco Rodriguez departed after the 2008 season. Can the 36-year-old Downs change that trend?
