The Los Angeles Angels might be a mess in the first post-Shohei Ohtani season, but at least they are bringing in quality players.
This past weekend, they made Robert Stephenson’s signing official.
He will be in LA for the next three years, and will receive $33 million in exchange.
From 2016 to 2022, Stephenson was as inconsistent as they come.
He always had the stuff, but lacked control and command among other things.
However, the Tampa Bay Rays “rescued” him from the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he had a 5.14 ERA.
In 38.1 innings in Tampa, he posted a brilliant 2.35 ERA with 60 (!) strikeouts.
His ERA for the year was still a very solid 3.10.
Those 38.1 innings with the Rays earned him $33 million in free agency.
Former general manager and current analyst Steve Phillips praised Stephenson and wonders why more contenders did not make more of an effort to sign him, via MLB Network.
“I think he's legit… I think the Angels got a really good guy.”@StevePhillipsGM weighs in on the Halos' reported 3-year deal with Robert Stephenson. #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/Fjcbaxlocd
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 22, 2024
“$33 million seems like a lot, but when looking at predictability, I believe this guy’s put-away pitch is worthy of him being the ninth-inning pitcher right now. The Angels got a really good guy,” he said.
When he refers to his put-away offering, he is talking about Stephenson’s cutter.
That pitch had a 59.9 percent whiff rate, per Baseball Savant.
It means that for every 10 cutters hitters swung at, they missed six times.
That’s an incredible rate, and it fueled Stephenson’s breakout.
To answer Phillips’ inquiry, the reason why contenders were afraid to make a move was probably his poor track record beyond 2023: he has a career 4.64 ERA.
But he is a changed pitcher, and the Angels will now enjoy the rewards.
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