Brandon Lyon, Los Angeles Angels agree to minor league deal

Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Veteran right-hander Brandon Lyon has agreed to a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels. In a pair of Tweets, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman relayed the news of Lyon’s signing, adding that he’ll earn $1 Million if he’s able to win a spot in the Angels’ bullpen.

Lyon spent the 2013 season with the New York Mets after signing a one year deal with the team in early February, appearing in 37 games but tossing just 34.1 IP on the year. He’d post a 4.98 ERA and 1.631 WHIP in that stretch before the team released him in July. Lyon would sign a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox but would only make a handful of outings for the team’s Triple-A Pawtucket affiliate before requesting his release.

A 12 year veteran, Lyon’s spent ample time in both the American and National Leagues over his career – spending time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros before ending up with the Mets. He holds a career ERA of 4.16 with a 1.381 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, and 6.1 K/9 over 681.1 IP.

Los Angeles has to be hoping that 2013 was an aberration for the now 34 year old. He’d just come off a solid three year run with the Astros and Blue Jays in which he’d averaged 54 appearances, 25 saves, and a 3.84 ERA from 2010-2012. The Angels do head into camp with questions lingering about the composition of their bullpen but they do also have a fair number of arms in camp competing for a role behind Ernesto Frieri, Joe Smith, and Sean Burnett. Many of Los Angeles’ options are inexperienced beyond that trio, which could potentially work to Lyon’s advantage.