Los Angeles Angels: 3 relievers to target this offseason

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics reacts to striking out Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros to end the eighth inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics reacts to striking out Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros to end the eighth inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the ninth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 10-9. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the ninth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 10-9. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Brad Hand

After a horrifying 2019 second half, Brad Hand put the broken pieces back together in 2020 in a huge way. Hand was the anchor of an elite pitching staff out in Cleveland, posting a 2.05 ERA and 1.37 FIP across 22 innings pitched. Since 2016, Hand has been an absolute stud, posting the 14th best ERA amongst qualified relievers at a 2.70 ERA mark.

Hand isn’t just one of the best relievers in the game — he also happens to be a southpaw, a clear area of need for the Angels. Pairing a lefty-righty combo of Hansel Robles and Brad Hand in the waning portion of ball games could be huge. As I have already mentioned multiple times, the Angels’ rotation is so bad, they need to shorten games from the back end. Hand helps accomplish that, but in an even more dynamic way than the two relievers I previously mentioned.

As Halo Hangout contributor Justin Gideon recently outlined, Hand fits the Angels’ plans perfectly. He is as reliable as it gets for the most volatile position in the sport.

Hand could be in line for a pay day in the ballpark in between Yates and Hendriks, maybe in the realm of a three-year, $42 million contract.