Angels 2015 Salary Arbitration Preview

May 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Cesar Ramos (27) throws to the plate against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

RP Cesar Ramos

Cesar Ramos is another young man making the migration East from Tampa Bay to Anaheim this year. The Angels traded for the versatile southpaw reliever this past November from the Rays. Ramos was a very valuable member of the Rays’ bullpen in 2014, posting a 3.70 ERA across 82.2 innings of work. The Rays never managed to settle on a permanent role for the 30-year-old, as he saw time as a starter, long man, and late-inning reliever last season. Regardless, Ramos put up some nice numbers, and figures to play a prominent role for the Angels in 2015.

The Tampa Bay Rays paid $750,000 for the left-handed reliever in 2014. MLB Trade Rumors has projected Ramos will earn $1.3 million from the Halos in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Some might scoff at this projection, but I would argue it presents both sides with good value. Based on the numbers, Ramos looks more like a $1 million dollar player, but I believe his workload last season justifies the extra $300,000.

UPDATE: The Angels avoided arbitration with Cesar Ramos by signing him to a new one-year deal worth $1.3125 million dollars on Thursday. MLBTR’s projection was perfect in this case.

Next: Fernando Salas