Brian Fuentes did his job well enough last season to lead the major leagues with 48 saves. But he understands why some Angels fans covered their eyes when he came into games. "It's an intense job," Fuentes said of closing out games. "I could have been more consistent. It's definitely not easy to close out a game, but I definitely think I shouldn't have had as low a percentage as I did. I'd like to have had fewer blown saves and been more consistent." The Angels signed another closer, Fernando Rodney, as a free agent this offseason. Rodney had his own problems with the Tigers last season but managed to close out 37 of 38 save opportunities. However, manager Mike Scioscia insists Rodney was not brought in to take Fuentes' job -- just to make that job easier by giving Scioscia another setup option along with young Kevin Jepsen and veteran Scot Shields (recovering from knee surgery). "Brian Fuentes had a terrific season for us last year," Scioscia said. "With Shields and Rodney and Fuentes at the back of our bullpen -- those are some power arms that will be important for us to hold leads late in game. We're very comfortable that Brian is going to be that presence at the back of the bullpen." Roles will evolve as the season goes on, Scioscia said. A year ago, the Angels' bullpen depth "evaporated" because of injuries to Shields and Jose Arredondo. "I expect better pitching than what we had last year," Scioscia said. "When you lose John Lackey and you lose Darren Oliver (to free agency), maybe it sounds a little contradictory. But I think we're deeper as a whole. ... In the bullpen, there's no doubt we have more depth than at any point last year." TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: RHP Ervin Santana. Santana has seemed to alternate good and bad seasons lately. Last year, he was diagnosed with a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow and spent two long stretches on the DL, not pitching well when he returned. If Santana's elbow has fully recovered, though, he has a dynamic power repertoire and could fill the "ace" void left by the free agent departure of John Lackey. TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: 1B Kendry Morales. Morales was a revelation last season, taking the spot vacated when the Angels were unable to re-sign Mark Teixeira. Morales' MVP-caliber season far exceeded the Angels' expectations in his first full season as a big-leaguer. But now the Angels are counting on Morales to repeat that performance, which could be asking too much of the 26-year-old switch-hitter. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Mike Scioscia is the winningest manager in franchise history (900-720 in 10 seasons) and was rewarded with his second Manager of the Year award in 2009 after guiding the Angels to their fifth division title in the last six seasons despite the death of young RHP Nick Adenhart early in the season. Scioscia is the longest tenured manager in the American League and holds sway over every aspect of the organization's baseball operations. His teams are always well-versed in the fundamentals and rely on an aggressive offensive approach, putting pressure on opposing defenses with their willingness to steal, hit and run and take the extra base at every opportunity.