The Los Angeles Angels have dipped into free company to strengthen their bullpen. The Halos and right-hander Robert Stephenson have agreed to a three-year contract with a fourth-year choice, reports the New York Post. Monetary phrases are unknown, although the going price for a prime setup man is $10 million or so a yr nowadays. The Angels haven’t but confirmed the transfer.
Stephenson, 31 in April, had a 5.14 ERA in 14 innings with the Pittsburgh Pirates to start final season. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in a minor deal in June, then threw 38 1/3 innings with a 2.35 ERA the remainder of the best way. Stephenson struck out 60 batters in these 38 1/3 innings and was one of the crucial dominant relievers within the sport.
Our R.J. Anderson ranked Stephenson the Thirty second-best prospect accessible this offseason. Here is his write-up:
Stephenson launched a cutter to interchange his slider two weeks into his Rays tenure. He threw it 316 occasions over the rest of the season, producing 60% whiffs and holding opponents to a .101 batting common. Stephenson’s cutter resembles his four-seamer’s motion profile, besides it options extra drop and is available in eight ticks slower. Batters could not remedy it. We suspect that may stay principally true heading ahead, making him a reliable candidate to work high-leverage conditions.
The Angels, regardless of shedding Shohei Ohtani, have been pretty lively this offseason. They’ve added relievers Adam Cimber, Luis García, and Adam Kolarek on short-term offers, in addition to starter Zach Plesac, in current weeks. Stephenson is their greatest and most impactful addition thus far. He’ll be part of Carlos Estévez in new supervisor Ron Washington’s circle of belief.
Stephenson was the second high-end free-agent reliever to signal on Friday. All-Star nearer Josh Hader joined the Houston Astros on a five-year, $85 million contract. Ryan Brasier, Hector Neris and David Robertson stand out as the perfect accessible free-agent relievers now that Hader, Stephenson and Jordan Hicks have signed.
A number of contenders, together with the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees, had been stated to have curiosity in Stephenson this offseason. The Angels went 73-89 with Ohtani in 2023 and are thought of unlikely to contend in 2024.
