Why The Angels Should Target Peter Moylan In Free Agency

I’m going to spend a little more of Arte Moreno’s money. I’m going to get another cheap player that may help them at some point during the season. It’s not a sexy move. It’s not a pie in the sky trade (though I have one of those in mind). I’m going to go and sign Peter Moylan for one year.

Oct. 1, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Peter Moylan (58) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s how it works. One, he’s going to be relatively inexpensive. He has only pitched in 13 innings the past two seasons due to injury. He’s not going to be a guy who’s going to break the bank for a team that may be at it’s payroll limits. They might even sign him to a minor league deal and that could be enough.Secondly, he can challenge David Carpenter to that last spot in the bullpen. Moylan, throughout his career crushes right handed hitters. Right hand hitters have only hit .207 against him for his career with a .257 BABIP. He also gets ground outs 63% of the time, something the Angels don’t really have on their staff. He has a career 89xFIP, which is better than league average. He also has a left on base percentage of 77% for his career.

Remember, it’s not always the sexy moves that win you a championship. It’s the little here and there moves that do it. Look at the San Francisco Giants this past year. This could be one of those under the radar type of moves that could play big dividends during the season at some point.