Angels Rumors: Top 5 free agent relievers who should be signed

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Kirby Yates (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Signing one or more of these free agent relievers would give the Angels one of the best bullpens in the league.

The offseason reliever market is heating up, and the Angels need to act soon before they are left picking from the scraps. Luckily, there are still a solid group of names to choose from.

Following the Liam Hendriks and Archie Bradley signings this week, the rest of the league has now begun to negotiate with available players and their agents accordingly. The Angels can also cross Brad Hand off their list, as the lefty is reportedly nearing a deal with the Mets.

It’s no secret the Angels need to add starting pitchers as well. Regardless of what general manager Perry Minasian decides to improve first, he will need to bring in help for both the rotation and bullpen at some point. Both areas need to be a strength, it doesn’t matter how dominant one or the other is. If one area is lacking, your team will lose. If you don’t believe me ask the Tampa Bay Rays.

Los Angeles improved their ‘pen by trading for closer Raisel Iglesias last month, but the team can still use another arm or two.

Angels Active Relievers (2020 Statistics):

RHP Raisel Iglesias (22 games) 2.74 ERA 0.913 WHIP
RHP Ty Buttrey (27 games) 5.81 ERA 1.405 WHIP
LHP Alex Claudio (20 games) 4.26 ERA 1.263 WHIP
RHP Mike Mayers (29 games) 2.10 ERA 0.900 WHIP
RHP Felix Pena (25 games) 4.05 ERA 1.313 WHIP
LHP Patrick Sandoval (9 games) 5.65 ERA 1.336 WHIP
RHP Luke Bard (6 games) 6.75 ERA 1.313 WHIP
RHP Jose Alberto Rivera DNP

This group is far from dominant, but there is still a solid foundation to build on. If the team adds one or two of the following arms, this bullpen has the potential to be one of the best in the league.

Yusmeiro Petit (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Of all the available relievers, Yusmeiro Petit would be the most valuable for the Angels.

It’s worth noting, I put together this list based on WAR from the past three seasons, and players I think will be the most effective for the Angels bullpen. Of the current free agents, no player has a higher WAR3 than former Angels reliever Yusmeiro Petit (4.7).

Petit spent one season with the Halos in 2017, where he posted a 2.76 ERA and 0.953 WHIP in 59 appearances out of the bullpen. Since then, the veteran has put together three solid seasons with the division-rival Athletics.

Yusmeiro Petit Last Three Seasons (4.7 WAR):

2018: (74 games) 3.00 ERA 4.22 K/BB 1.011 WHIP
2019: (80 games) 2.71 ERA 7.1 K/BB 0.807 WHIP
2020: (26 games) 1.66 ERA 3.4 K/BB 1.108 WHIP

Petit will turn 37 years-old in November, so history tells us he’s likely got one or two more solid seasons left in the tank. The right-hander has been one of the most reliable relievers in the league since winning a World Series with the Giants in 2014.

Last season Petit made $5.5 million (non-prorated) with Oakland, judging by the nature of some of the contracts we’ve seen so far it’s likely he will ask for a similar ~$5 million, one-year deal.

Whether you prefer analytics or intangibles, Petit has value in both departments. He won’t blow hitters away with high 90s fastballs, but Petit’s pitches are still effective nonetheless.

It pays to have a pitching weapon who can give an occasional spot start, or come in for middle and late relief. Every successful team needs a Petit in their bullpen.

Kirby Yates (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Angels can redeem themselves and bring back Kirby Yates.

Ah yes, Kirby Yates, the one who got away. Some Angels fans might recall the one appearance Yates made for the Halos in 2017. After being designated for assignment, by former GM Billy Eppler, Yates was claimed by San Diego where he thrived.

Yates is coming off season-ending elbow surgery after appearing in just six games last summer. Before his injury, the right-hander proved to be one of the most effective relievers in baseball.

Kirby Yates Last Three Seasons (4.7 WAR):

2018: (65 games) 2.14 ERA 5.29 K/BB 0.921 WHIP
2019: (60 games) 1.19 ERA 7.77 K/BB 0.890 WHIP (All-Star)
2020: (6 games) 12.46 ERA 2.00 K/BB 2.538 WHIP

Yates has reportedly narrowed his list of teams to five, with the Padres not amongst them. It’s unknown whether the Angels are in the mix but regardless, it will be a bit of a gamble for whichever team signs him.

The right-hander will turn 34 in March, and will likely ask for a contract in the $3-$5 million range. It might not seem like a lot, but considering Yates is coming off a major injury in an offseason market like no other, every dollar is being accounted for right now.

A team like the Angels might not be willing to bet that much money on a bounce-back season from Yates. I think it all depends on how much money Minasian is willing to spend elsewhere. If the Angels are serious about going after Trevor Bauer, I think it is unlikely they bring in Yates for that much.

If the Halos decide they are better off hanging onto the Bauer-money, then taking a gamble on Yates for his asking price shouldn’t be a problem.

Jeremy Jeffress (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Jeremy Jeffress is an underrated option the Angels can afford.

Of all the available relievers, the one nobody seems to be talking about is Jeremy Jeffress.

The right-hander is coming off a terrific bounce-back season with the Cubs after he struggled in 2019. If there were All-Star selections in 2020, Jeffress would have easily made the team. Jeffress allowed just two earned runs in his first 15 appearances last summer.

Jeremy Jeffress Last Three Seasons (4.1 WAR):

2018: (73 games) 1.29 ERA 3.30 K/BB 0.991 WHIP (All-Star)
2019: (48 games) 5.02 ERA 2.71 K/BB 1.365 WHIP
2020: (22 games) 1.54 ERA 1.43 K/BB 0.943 WHIP

If there is any downside to Jeffress’ game I’d say it’s the lack of strikeouts. Still, finding a way to get consistent outs is just as effective.

Last year, the Cubs got Jeffress on a one-year, $850K (non-prorated) deal. Talk about a bargain. It’s safe to say the 33-year old has earned a significant pay raise for the upcoming season.

This is just my projection, but if Bradley is earning $6 million for next season and Jeffress put up similar numbers, I’d expect he’d be asking for a similar deal. Given their age difference let’s say Jeffress can expect around $3-$4 million.

If you’ve ever seen him pitch, you’ll see the man has a bulldog mentality on the mound. An 11-year veteran, Jeffress gives off an aura of confidence that he is going to do everything possible to get a hitter out, and they won’t beat him. This is an intangible that will never show up in the box score, but I think it is just as valuable as most statistics.

Call it confidence, cockiness, or whatever you want, but this is a quality every professional pitcher needs to succeed. I mean, who wants a scared reliever coming into high-leverage situations? More importantly, this type of mindset from a veteran will rub off on the rest of the bullpen.

Alex Colome (Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images) /

The Angels should consider signing Alex Colome, if they can afford him.

Albeit in a shortened season, free-agent reliever Alex Colome is coming off his best year in the big leagues. The right-hander has been one of baseball’s most consistent bullpen arms in his eight years at the Major League level.

Alex Colome Last Three Seasons (3.1 WAR):

2018: (47 games) 2.53 ERA 3.77 K/BB 1.036 WHIP
2019: (62 games) 2.80 ERA 2.39 K/BB 1.066 WHIP
2020: (21 games) 0.81 ERA 2.00 K/BB 0.940 WHIP

Colome came up with the Rays organization in 2007 and spent his first two seasons with former Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.

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The right-hander pitched in just a handful of games during Maddon’s last two seasons but was considered a top prospect at the time. Colome’s professional career got off to a rocky start and he was suspended 50 games, after testing positive for PEDs just prior to the 2014 season.

Colome redeemed himself and earned an All-Star appearance for Tampa Bay in 2016. It’s safe to say he would have made the team again last summer where he converted 12 of 13 saves for the White Sox.

The biggest question surrounding Colome will be how much money he is looking for this offseason. Colome made $10.533 million (non-prorated) in Chicago last season.

You might not believe it, but one could make the argument Colome has better career numbers in eight seasons (7.5 WAR) than Hendriks has in 10 seasons (4.7 WAR). As we know, Hendriks broke the record as the game’s highest-paid reliever.

Given the trade for Iglesias, it’s likely Colome would be the set-up man or vice versa. Either way, the duo would make for a deadly 1-2 punch at the end of ballgames.

Roberto Osuna (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Roberto Osuna comes with controversy, but he can still be effective for the Angels.

Another pitcher coming off a season-ending injury, Roberto Osuna would be an interesting bullpen option for the Angels.

Osuna has been one of baseball’s best relievers since making his MLB debut in 2015. The right-hander found himself in hot-water following domestic violence allegations in 2018, where he was suspended 75-games. He was never proven guilty, but it’s left a bad taste in people’s mouths.

It’s unknown if Minasian and the organization would factor in these allegations when looking for relief help. Regardless, Osuna’s on-the-field performances will be enough for a team to sign him this offseason.

Roberto Osuna Last Three Seasons (3.6 WAR):

2018: (38 games) 2.37 ERA 8.00 K/BB 0.974 WHIP
2019: (66 games) 2.63 ERA 6.08 K/BB 0.877 WHIP
2020: (4 games) 2.08 ERA 3 K 0 BB 0.692 WHIP

Osuna made $10 million (non-prorated) with the Astros last season. Given a partially torn UCL which ended his 2020 campaign, that will likely play a role in how much the right-hander gets paid this upcoming season. Osuna is attempting to rehab and pitch through the injury rather than opting for Tommy John surgery.

Still only 25-years old, Osuna carries a lot of upside on the field, holding MLB’s third-best WHIP (0.900) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.33) among pitchers with at least 200 innings since 2015.

If the Angels don’t sign any of the mentioned relievers, it wouldn’t be the end of the world because there are still some solid options to choose from. Though these five candidates are amongst the highest WAR3 players not just for pitchers, but every available free agent.

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It’s still too early to tell what Minasian is planning to spend more money on, relievers or starting pitchers. We should know whenever he decides to bring in a player of either position, whenever that may be.

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