The Los Angeles Angels have aggressively bolstered their bullpen, spending $50 million this offseason on acquisitions including Robert Stephenson and Matt Moore. Stephenson, who is slated to be a late-inning reliever, has acknowledged that the closer role is expected to be Carlos Estévez's job, his former teammate in Colorado. The bullpen revamp, which General Manager Perry Minasian joked about, is a response to last season's significant weakness and now looks formidable on paper. The starting rotation, featuring Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Griffin Canning, Tyler Anderson, and Chase Silseth, remains a concern. Despite the substantial bullpen investment, questions linger over the team's strategy as they are still $50 million shy of the luxury tax threshold, leaving room for potential additional signings.
Angels offseason spending on lineup/rotation: $1M. Angels offseason spending on bullpen: $48.8M. Kolarek, Cimber, Garcia, Stephenson, and now, Matt Moore. "For us to win more games and especially compete, we have to be better in those middle innings." https://t.co/bKF8V6fdIy
Worth noting that with Moore, the Angels are still $50M shy of the first luxury tax line. Doesn't mean they'll make a big splash, but they certainly COULD https://t.co/8NCJGcpFpV
The Angels have pretty much only added to their bullpen this offseason — as Perry Minasian joked today. Now, they actually have a pretty good bullpen. On paper at least. It was a huge weakness last season.
Angels have spent $50 million on their bullpen this winter. That is ... a lot of faith in a starting rotation of Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Griffin Canning, Tyler Anderson and Chase Silseth. https://t.co/lOhAMUM15p
And also updated the FA Matrix with Matt Moore back to the Angels. I am trying not to drink the Flavor Aid again but I DO theoretically like what they've added to the bullpen: https://t.co/qoS3snmyYi
“He went to Tampa Bay, he had a new toy to play with and changed speeds with his sliders, and he was one of the best, if not the best, reliever in baseball over his 40 innings there." On new #Angels reliever Robert Stephenson and his new-look slider. https://t.co/M3K5uqTrl0
The plan is for Robert Stephenson to be a late-inning reliever. But he's not expecting closer duties. He said it's Carlos Estévez's jobs (they were teammates in Colorado). But he said he's willing to take on any role, if it becomes necessary.
Anyway, no reason not to like this for the Dodgers. SPs all have question marks but the depth is as good as they’ve built in a few years: Yamamoto Glasnow Buehler Miller Paxton (if/when done) Sheehan Grove Stone Frasso Knack Ryan And eventually: May(?) Kershaw(???) https://t.co/UfjMs9csW2
"Are you trying to win now?" @FlavaFraz21 isn't sure of the direction the @Angels are going after signing Robert Stephenson over the weekend 🤔 ▶️ https://t.co/Y1fYXmoE8S https://t.co/6tkxJP2Wpk
After signing Robert Stephenson, the #Angels clearly aren't rebuilding yet. But should they? @johnbitzer2 makes the case, and looks at a few attractive trade chips should they shift gears in the coming months: https://t.co/qfb7abxqCD