The Los Angeles Angels, before the last week and a half, were having a slow off-season. The Halos weren't making significant signings to any part of their team.
However, the Angels have recently signed some major players to help improve their bullpen.
The Angels' bullpen was atrocious all of last season, ranking 27th out of 30 teams in FanGraphs' version of Wins Above Replacement. Halos general manager Perry Minasian knew they needed to improve on that front.
Minasian wasted no time signing players he deemed necessary. He shared with The Atheltic's Sam Blum his approach this offseason about why he considered the bullpen a significant need this winter.
“We had a hard time in the sixth, seventh, eighth inning,” Minasian said. “We really did. Our plus-minus in those three innings was minus 123. For us to win more games and compete, we have to be better in those middle innings.”
In the span of a week, the Halos added possibly the best bullpen arm on the free agent market, Robert Stephenson, and southpaw Matt Moore.
On top of that, the Halos also added Luis Castillo, Adam Cimber, Adam Kolarek and Zach Plesac throughout the winter. The Angels tied for the fifth-worst bullpen ERA in baseball last season (4.88).
The signings of these bullpen arms were by no mistake. Minasain realized that games got away from them last season, and adding pieces could help them retain their leads in the late innings.
Still, the Halos need some corner infield help and another starting pitcher. The job isn't done for Minasian and his squad. Luckily, time is on their side for now.
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