*Photo from ESPN*
Will you take a look at that, the Los Angeles Angels are finally giving Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani some reinforcements in the pitching departement. The Angels and RHP Ryan Tepera have agreed to a two year, $14 million deal, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The Angels have confirmed the deal.
Tepera has spent the majority of his MLB career as a middle inning reliever, but has the ability to pitch in high leverage spots, and figures to be deployed by manager Joe Maddon as a setup man in Los Angeles. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Sam Houston State University.
Asked about joining the Angels bullpen, Tepera said that "I think the Angels have always needed a little bit of pitching help. This lineup is unbelievable. I think this bullpen that was built is going to help a lot. When you get a little bit older and further in your career, it's all about winning and that's what I'm coming here to do."
Last season, Tepera was on both sides of Chicago, pitching for the Cubs in the first half and the White Sox in the second half. He finished the regular season with an 0-2 record with a 2.79 ERA and sterling 0.88 WHIP, fanning 74 hitters while walking 19, throwing 61 1/3 innings and making 65 relief appearances.
In Tepera's 7 big league seasons, split between the Blue Jays, Cubs, and White Sox, he has a 12-14 record with a 3.48 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, with 308 strikeouts in 297 1/3 innings, making one start and 301 relief appearances. In limited playoff experience, Tepera has allowed 5 runs in 7 2/3 innings, making 6 appearances across 4 seasons.
In terms of Tepera's pitches, his best pitch is his cutter. He also mixes in 3 more pitches for a 4 pitch arsenal, adding a 4 seam fastball, changeup, and sinker. He has 12 career saves in the majors, so he can be used as a closer in a pinch as well as a setup man and middle reliever. It's his versatility that the Angels hope to capitalize on this season.
The Angels DFA'd Kyle Tyler to make room for Tepera on the 40 man roster. Tepera is the latest addition to the Angels rotation and bullpen this offseason, joining Noah Syndergaard, Michael Lorenzen, Aaron Loup, and the re-signing of closer Raisel Iglesias. The Angels also used every draft pick in last year's draft on pitchers.
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