LAS VEGAS — Last year the Angels invested more than $92 million in deals for four relievers: Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Tepera, Aaron Loup and Archie Bradley.
And they ended up with a bullpen that finished 18th in the majors in ERA.
Now what?
General Manager Perry Minasian conceded on Tuesday at the GM Meetings that the Angels still need to upgrade their bullpen, but he did not commit to any particular avenue.
Do they need to acquire an established closer?
“You’d love to have a closer that’s really productive and can lock down the ninth inning,” Minasian said. “But that being said, I really like how Phil (Nevin) managed the bullpen. I thought it was really creative. I do feel like we have talent to where we can mix and match to a certain extent and maybe somebody steps up and becomes that closer.”
Do they need more pitchers who get strikeouts?
“Everybody would love to have more swing and miss,” Minasian said. “That’s obviously something that’s very desirable. But we’ve all seen power sinker ball guys that are tough to lift and keep the ball on the ground. We’ve seen relievers that have been really effective, creating soft contact, you know, so there’s different ways to do it.”
After the Angels traded Iglesias to the Atlanta Braves at the deadline, Nevin used right-handers Jimmy Herget and Tepera and lefty José Quijada to close at various times.
They each had strong stretches, as did Andrew Wantz. Loup struggled for most of the season, but he’s signed for next year at $7 million, so he’s likely to be back.
Jaime Barria also figures to be back in a long relief role because he was successful this year.
Those six all figure to have roles in next season’s bullpen, but there is obviously room for improvement and additions.
The New York Mets re-signed closer Edwin Diaz before he could officially even reach free agency, taking the biggest relief name off the board. Left-hander Aroldis Chapman and right-handers Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel are all free agent closers, but each has had issues in recent years, either with injury or ineffectiveness.
There are dozens of other relievers on the free agent market who could be productive, but just about all of them represent gambles because of the nature of relief pitchers.
Minasian said one key for upgrading the bullpen will be if the Angels can develop some relievers on their own.
“We have to do a better job as an organization of developing relievers,” Minasian said. “That’s something you see other teams doing a really good job of and we have to do that.”
One intriguing name is Ben Joyce, the Angels’ third-round pick in last year’s draft. Joyce consistently hits triple-digits with his fastball. He posted a 2.08 ERA in his first 13 professional games last season, all at Double-A.
Minasian said he “would never rule anything out,” with regard to Joyce contributing next season.
FROM THE OHTANI CAMP
Shohei Ohtani’s agent told reporters on Tuesday that he was glad to see Minasian publicly douse any rumors of Ohtani being traded.
“I thought it was really good that he addressed all of you to let you all know that he and the ownership’s desire is not to move Shohei and to keep him around for the 2023 season,” Nez Balelo said. “So I’m glad he addressed it and we’re moving on.”
Balelo would not say whether any negotiations have taken place for a long-term deal. He simply said that they were happy to have the $30 million, one-year deal and they would see what happens if and when the Angels are sold.
“It’s been very quiet,” Balelo said. “So we don’t know what’s going on. But it’s not our business. It’s Arte (Moreno) and his wife and the rest of the organization’s business, not ours. So I guess we would just have to wait to see who the group was that came in and if they had an appetite to move forward and see what they wanted to do with Shohei.”
The question looming over the Ohtani negotiations is whether the Angels can prove to Ohtani that they can build a winning team around him.
Balelo said there’s hope.
“I think that the Angels are positioned in a great spot,” Balelo said. “I think that they may be a couple additions away from competing. I think health has always been an issue and if they could get over that hurdle, I think that there’s a lot of promise with the organization.”
NOTES
The Angels have decided not to bring back Triple-A manager Lou Marson for 2023. Marson had managed at Salt Lake since 2019, and previously he managed one season at Double-A. “We’ll go through that process over the next couple weeks and try to find the right fit,” Minasian said. …
Although teams are not yet allowed to negotiate with free agents from other teams, Minasian said the GM Meetings have been productive because of the ability to talk to other teams about trades. “I think dialogue with clubs, understanding needs and seeing if you match up in different scenarios is important, just understanding the landscape,” Minasian said. “Anytime you can have a chance to talk face-to-face to a majority of team representatives, decision-makers, I think it’s a good thing.”
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
