Free Agent Relievers the Angels May Target
With a bullpen that only features one true lock (Ben Joyce), the Angels bullpen is ripe for additions.
After seeing what traits Perry Minasian and Co have targetted in relievers over the previous four offseason, we can attempt to predict which free agent relievers may appeal to them.
We know they like relievers who have good Stuff+ metrics, so we’ll start by looking at free agent relievers who had an above average Stuff+ rating in 2024 (min. 30 IP).
The Expensive Tier:
Tanner Scott, Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, Carlos Estévez
The Angels could add any of these relievers, but it would require them spending upwards of $10M AAV on them. For Scott and Estevez, it would also require committing multiple years.
The Multi-Year Tier:
Paul Sewald, Tommy Kahnle, José Leclerc, AJ Minter
Relievers in this tier figure to land multi-year deals, but will likely sign for an AAV with seven digits instead of eight.
The One-Year Deal Tier:
Lucas Sims, Ryne Stanek, Joe Kelly, Tim Hill
Whether it is because of their recent track record or a middling 2024, these relievers are unlikely to command more than a one year deal for a few million dollars.
The MiLB Deal Tier:
Jake Diekman, Luke Jackson, Craig Kimbrel, Scott Barlow, Matt Moore
This last tier features relievers who, in all likelihood, will have to settle for a minor league deal. Given the Angels relatively wide open bullpen, they may be an ideal landing spot for proven veterans looking to show that they still have something left in the tank.
Digging in deeper, two other traits of interest that are worth mentioning: the Angels typically like pitchers who have a low average exit velocity against and, this offseason, they seem to be putting an emphasis on pitchers who throw first pitch strikes.
Here are the relievers, from the names mentioned above, who meet those criteria.
Low Average Exit Velocity Against (88.5 mph is average): Tanner Scott (84.3), Tommy Kahnle (86.2), José Leclerc (87.4), AJ Minter (87.3), Lucas Sims (85.4), Tim Hill (88), Jake Diekman (87), and Scott Barlow (86.2).
High F-Strike% (61.6% is average): Tanner Scott (67.7), Kenley Jansen (67.4), Carlos Estévez (67.5), Paul Sewald (62.4), AJ Minter (75.4), Ryne Stanek (66), Tim Hill (70.4), & Luke Jackson (68.9).
Besides Tanner Scott, the undisputed best free agent reliever available, AJ Minter and Tim Hill were the only free agent relievers who had an above average Stuff+ rating, threw strikes at an above average rate, and had a low average exit velocity against.
Minter is coming off hip surgery, but overlapped in Atlanta with Perry Minasian and stands out as a top target. Minter, a lefty, would nicely complement the right-handed Joyce to form a duo that could alternate the 8th and 9th innings depending on the opposition’s lineup.