Los Angeles Angels Bolster Pitching Depth with Odrisamer Despaigne
By Dylan Smith
Late Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Angels acquired Odrisamer Despaigne from the Miami Marlins for cash considerations. This move signals the end of the Angels season.
Late Tuesday night, news broke that the Los Angeles Angels acquired Odrisamer Despaigne from the Miami Marlins for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the Angels designated right-handed pitcher, Dayan Diaz, for assignment.
Despaigne, 31, has bounced around since making his debut for the San Diego Padres in 2014. In 2018, Despaigne has bounced between Triple-A New Orleans and Miami, posting a 2-0 record with an ERA of 5.31 in 11 games and one start.
This is not an impact move for the Halos, a team which saw their 2018 season drift away with numerous injuries. Sitting at 61-60, the Angels are 12.5 games out of the division lead (before play on Wednesday) and 11 games out of the WildCard. While the club is not totally out of the race, it is hard to imagine that the 2018 Los Angeles Angels will make a run at a playoff spot. With less than seven weeks left to play, the move to acquire Despaigne seems to be Angels’ management waving the white flag on their 2018 season. The well-traveled righty will likely be placed into the Angels’ rotation to eat innings and relieve some of the pressure on their hobbled pitching staff.
The Los Angeles Angels will be Despaigne’s fourth team. Over his six-year career, Despagine has been a serviceable spot starter/long reliever. In 98 games and 43 starts, Despaigne has posted a record of 13-21 with an ERA of 4.76 and a WHIP of 1.37. For a team that is currently missing Tyler Skaggs, Nick Tropeano, Alex Meyer, Garret Richards, Matt Shoemaker as well as others, the acquisition of a long man will certainly be a pleasant sight down the stretch.
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With plenty of questions about the Los Angeles Angels 2019 rotation as well, the fact that Odrisamer Despaigne is still under team control for two more seasons, though he is arbitration-eligible for the first time this season.