Fansided

Angels Rumors: Halos interested in multiple free-agent relievers

By Alfonso Cerna |
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)
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Brad Hand (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
Brad Hand (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

As the MLB offseason is slowly chugging along, the hot stove is finally starting to heat up. The Angels have quietly made cost-effective moves to address their needs, but there is still work to do. The Halos retooled their bullpen earlier this offseason by acquiring Alex Claudio and Raisel Iglesias, and it doesn’t appear the Angels are finished in that department. As reported by FanSided’s Robert Murray, the Angels are showing interest in free-agent pitcher Brad Hand.

Hand has been one of the most effective left-handed relievers in the league for the past five seasons.

  • 2016: (82 games) 2.92 ERA 1.108 WHIP
  • 2017: (72 games) 2.16 ERA 0.933 WHIP
  • 2018: (69 games) 2.75 ERA 1.111 WHIP
  • 2019: (60 games) 3.30 ERA 1.238 WHIP
  • 2020: (23 games) 2.05 ERA 0.773 WHIP

Earlier this week, I created a list of five impact relievers that would give the Angels one of the best bullpens in baseball, based on the foundation the team currently has. Hand was briefly mentioned, but reports of the lefty in negotiations with the Mets made me believe a deal was impossible. It appears Hand is still in talks with multiple teams including the Angels, Mets, and Blue Jays.

The only left-handers on the active roster for the Angels are Claudio and Patrick Sandoval. Hand gives the Angels a dominant left-handed weapon out of the ‘pen who is a specialist and a late-inning reliever. The 30-year old has converted 105 of 128 save opportunities and boasts a .187/.258/.294 career line against left-handed batters.

Hand made $7.5 million (non-prorated) for Cleveland last season and will likely ask for a slight bump from that number in 2021. The Angels certainly have enough on the payroll to make this deal happen.

Joakim Soria (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Joakim Soria (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Another free-agent reliever the Angels have shown interest in this past week is an older but reliable option in Joakim Soria. The Halos are reportedly one of five teams in the AL West in pursuit of the veteran right-hander.

The 36-year old has spent the last two seasons with Oakland and played two years with Texas earlier in his career so there is some history with the AL West.

Soria will enter his 14th season in the big leagues and has proven to still be an affective weapon out of the bullpen.

  • 2016: (70 games) 4.05 ERA 1.455 WHIP
  • 2017: (59 games) 3.70 ERA 1.232 WHIP
  • 2018: (66 games) 3.12 ERA 1.137 WHIP
  • 2019: (71 games) 4.30 ERA 1.029 WHIP
  • 2020: (22 games) 2.82 ERA 1.254 WHIP

The set-up role is likely where Soria would line up in the Angels bullpen, creating a 1-2 punch with recently acquired closer Raisel Iglesias.

If there were any downside to Soria’s game, it would be his low strikeout-to-walk ratio in recent years. In his last five seasons, Soria holds a 3.73 K/BB ratio.

A two-time All-Star who can still get the job done, Soria could have an impact on and off the field. Outside of his statistics, he would also be a value as far as intangibles. It benefits every successful team to have at least one or two veteran relievers in their bullpen, and Soria fits that role.

Last season Soria made $8.5 million for the Athletics. Due to his age and this current market, I imagine he receives a deal around that mark or slightly less for one season.

Now this brings up the question most will probably ask:

Los Angeles Angels, Arte Moreno Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels, Arte Moreno Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /

As of today, the Angels are still in need of another starting pitcher, possibly an outfielder, and the addition of another reliever would give the team a dominant bullpen.

The Halos signed left-handed starter Jose Quintana on Tuesday. Realistically, this gives the team a starter who will eat innings and keep the Halos in ballgames, but Quintana is no more than a No. 3 starter in a majority of rotations.

Whether or not general manager Perry Minasian and the Angels will go after an arm for the rotation remains to be seen. Trevor Bauer is the free agent linked to the Halos all offseason, and recently MLB Insider Jon Heyman believed the Angels were the favorites.

Should the Angels spend the majority of their payroll on another starter or reliever?

Following the Quintana signing, the Angels have an estimated ~$24 million left on their 2021 payroll before they hit the luxury tax penalty. Signing either Hand or Soria would shrink that number, and unless Bauer is playing for peanuts or free, it would likely eliminate him playing for the Angels next season.

I don’t think any team in the league is willing to pay Bauer a record-breaking type of deal, at least in this offseason. There is a possibility Bauer can take a one-year deal, ~$20 million, and gamble on a possible record contract next offseason.

Angels need more than Quintana to compete. Next

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If this is the case and the Angels don’t sign Hand or Soria, there is still a chance the Angels sign Bauer and a low-cost reliever.

It comes down to whether or not the Angels will value the rest of their payroll for multiple impact players or one.

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