*Photo from Newsday*
Everyone both inside and outside of the Los Angeles Angels organization has known that pitching has been the major flaw of the team for several years. Now they're making legitimate moves to try and address it. The Angels and LHP Aaron Loup have agreed to a two year, $17 million deal, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The Angels have confirmed the deal.
Angels GM Perry Minasian said of Loup that "What we liked about him was a multitude of things, including his production the last few years and over the course of his career. The ability to get both sides of plate and not just left-on-left. He can pitch against the better parts of lineups. And then just the guy. He’s a beautiful human being."
In his contract, Loup earns $7.5 million in both 2022 and 2023, and has a team option for the 2024 season. That option is worth $7.5 million, and has a $2 million buyout, thus guaranteeing Loup $17 million, and a max value of $22.5 million over 3 seasons. His deal is the first multi year contract the Angels have given to a pitcher since Joe Smith in 2013.
It's deserved however, as Loup is coming off a career year, to the benefit of the New York Mets. In a Mets uniform last season, Loup pitched to a 6-0 record with a sparkling 0.95 ERA, striking out 57 hitters while walking just 16 across 56 2/3 innings pitched, making 65 appearances, two of which were starts. He also allowed just one home run all of last season.
Across 10 seasons in the major leagues, split between 5 different teams, Loup has a lifetime 21-22 record with a 3.05 ERA, striking out 383 hitters while throwing 407 2/3 innings, appearing in 471 career games and allowing just 29 home runs in 10 seasons.
Loup has generally had most of his success against lefties, as they have just a .224 average against him, while righties are hitting at a .258 clip against Loup. He uses his sinker and cutter most often, and also uses a changeup and curveball, which helps to limit hard contact. In the 29 career homers Loup has allowed, he has never allowed more than 6 in a season.
Minasian said of Loup's approach on the mound that "It’s a combination of things, but I think his angle is a bit different and you don’t see it too often. When you combine velocity, angle and movement, and the biggest thing is he locates the ball. He has a good idea of where it’s going."
The signing of Loup is so far the second move the Angels have made to address the pitching woes on the team. They previously signed powerful starter Noah Syndergaard to a one year, $21 million deal earlier this offseason.
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