Los Angeles Angels Sign Coveted Free Agent Pitcher

The Los Angeles Angels have made a significant move in their bullpen by signing coveted free agent reliever Robert Stephenson to a three-year contract.

This deal is reported to be valued at around $33 million, with an additional option year, though the specifics of this option are not yet clear.

Stephenson, who is 30 years old, has previously pitched for several teams including the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and most recently, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Robert Stephenson to Angels. Righty reliever is one of the best,
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2024

In his time with the Rays in 2023, he achieved a career-low ERA of 3.10 and a WHIP of 0.88, striking out 77 batters in 52.1 innings.

His performance marked a notable turnaround, especially considering his rough start to the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he had an ERA of 5.14 in 18 relief appearances.

After joining the Rays, Stephenson's metrics improved significantly, including a notable increase in his strikeout rate to 14.88 K/9 and a decrease in his walk rate.

The addition of Stephenson is seen as a crucial step for the Angels in addressing their bullpen weaknesses.

Here's a look at Robert Stephenson's cutter that generated whiffs nearly 60% of the time in 2023 https://t.co/VwwXCBzZIU pic.twitter.com/SxWZUyirqI
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) January 20, 2024

In the 2023 season, the Angels' bullpen ERA ranked as the sixth-worst in MLB at 4.88.

With the departure of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have been active in free agency, making this their fourth major-league free-agent deal of the winter.

They have also signed Adam Kolarek, Zach Plesac, and Luis Garcia. Stephenson's signing not only brings experience to the bullpen but also raises expectations for improved performance in the upcoming season. Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports