The trade took pressure off Fetters, who felt he had a fresh start. He was almost assured a spot with the Brewers, since they had given up a major league pitcher to get him.
That alone shored up his ego.
"I knew I was going to be on the team," Fetters said. "When I was with the Angels, I always had to come in and win a job."
Now he knows that the days when he doesn't do the job aren't going to cost him his job.
Recently, for instance, he was brought in during the 10th inning with the score tied against the Angels. He gave up a single to load the bases and then walked in the winning run.
"Last year, I felt that I had to pitch good every time or I would get shipped out," Fetters said. "This year, I have a little more security."
Which he has earned.
He came to spring training ready to pitch and impressed Garner enough to earn more responsibilities. When Edwin Nunez began having back trouble, Garner turned to Fetters as his set-up man.
"He kept coming in and shutting people down," Garner said. "He gets those ground balls for me."
Which is all Fetters cares about.
"I fell into this set-up role and have done a good job at it," Fetters said. "I don't want to change."
Why should he? He has purpose.
