Angels agree to minor league deals with pair of former Marlins

*Photo from the Miami Herald*

   With a desire to add to both minor league depth and the potential for major league players in an emergency, the Los Angeles Angels turned to some former Miami Marlins. The Angels have agreed to minor league contracts with OF Magneuris Sierra and RHP Kyle Barraclough, according to Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America. The Angels have confirmed the signing of Sierra, but have not confirmed the Barraclough signing.

   Last season, Sierra donned a Marlins uniform. In that 2021 season, Sierra finished with a .230 batting average and .549 OPS, hitting 6 doubles and one triple, totaling 5 RBI's while finishing with zero home runs, picking up 11 stolen bases in 123 games played. In his career, Sierra has no home runs, but has a .240 average with 25 RBI's and 23 stolen bases.

   Sierra has never been a consistent hitter, but he has stuck around for 5 seasons in the majors due to his above average defense in the outfield, along with his ability to steal bases, which makes him useful as a 4th outfielder on a team's opening day roster, who could serve as a defensive substitute or as a pinch runner. Sierra landed with the Marlins when he was traded as part of the Marcell Ozuna trade to the Cardinals.

   Joining Sierra on the minor league roster is Barraclough, who appeared in 10 major league games for the Minnesota Twins last season, authoring a 5.54 ERA in 13 innings pitched. Across 6 big league seasons, spent with 4 teams, Barraclough has a 18-14 record with a 3.63 ERA, striking out 337 hitters in 265 1/3 innings pitched, making 280 relief appearances.

   Whenever big league spring training begins, it seems like both players could have legitimate chances to win big league roles with the Angels during the regular season. Sierra could be the 4th outfielder behind Justin Upton, Jared Walsh, and Mike Trout, though he'll have to beat out highly touted outfield prospects Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh to do it. Barraclough seemingly has a chance to win a bullpen job because the Angels pitching staff is always in flux.