Angels nab reliever Stephenson with multi year deal

*Photo from Sports Illustrated*

   This is the type of signing the Halos needed. RHP Robert Stephenson and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a 3 year, $33 million contract, according to Jack Olive of Jomboy Media. The Angels have confirmed the news.

   After bouncing around from team to team for the past few seasons, Stephenson was traded to Tampa Bay during the season and became an impact arm in their bullpen. The timing couldn't have been better, as Stephenson and his refined slider entered free agency in the midst of the best stretch of his career, and now he's cashed in.

   Stephenson played for both the Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates last season, with his best stretch coming in Tampa Bay. Combined between both teams, he had a 3.10 ERA, 3.22 FIP, and 0.879 WHIP, recording one save and throwing 52 1/3 innings over 60 relief appearances.

   When he wound up in Tampa Bay, the Rays helped him transform his slider and it became a mid 80s pitch to a high 80s that was sharper. He had a 2.35 ERA and 0.678 WHIP with the Rays, striking out 60 hitters in 38 1/3 innings. That gives him a 37.1 strikeout rate, which ranked him second best among qualified pitchers, trailing only Baltimore's Felix Bautista.

   The slider generated a lot of whiffs, with a 59.9 percent whiff rate from June until the end of the year. That's the highest whiff rate on a single pitch in the majors with a minimum of 100 swings. He also sharpened his command, walking just 8 hitters in his 38 1/3 innings with the Rays.

   Stephenson has pitched for the Rays, Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and Cincinnati Reds in 8 major league seasons. He has a 4.64 ERA, 1.337 WHIP, and 4.59 FIP to his name, throwing 364 1/3 innings and picking up 3 saves in 22 starts and 271 total appearances. He has never appeared in a postseason game.

   The addition of Stephenson will be a big help to a struggling Angels bullpen. They ended the season ranked 25th in ERA, 29th in FIP, 27th in fWAR, and 28th in win probability added. He gives the Angels another leverage arm to work with alongside closer Carlos Estevez.

   So far this offseason, Stephenson is the 3rd addition to the bullpen by the Angels, with Luis Garcia and Adam Cimber signing earlier in the offseason. They also signed starting pitcher Zach Plesac, who has the ability to be a starter or a relief option.