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Report: Angels Closing in on Deal for Reliever Cody Allen

By Jake Mastroianni

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 05: Cleveland Indians pitcher Cody Allen (37) delivers a pitch to the plate during the eighth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians on September 5, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Kansas City 3-1. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 05: Cleveland Indians pitcher Cody Allen (37) delivers a pitch to the plate during the eighth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians on September 5, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Kansas City 3-1. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Late Thursday night Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Angels were close to completing a deal for free agent reliever Cody Allen.

The Los Angeles Angels have been trying to bulk up their pitching staff this offseason, mostly in the starting rotation, but Cody Allen would give them a veteran presence in the bullpen.

Allen was hoping for a big payday this offseason after saving at least 30 games from 2015-2017 with an ERA under three each season. But he took a step back in 2018 with an ERA of 4.70 in 67 innings pitched with 80 strikeouts and 27 saves.

While you certainly can’t take away games, Allen’s high ERA was mostly caused by some disastrous outings. His ERA was 3.25 in early July before he gave up six runs in 0.2 innings.

It took him till late September to get his ERA back under four, but then he gave up six runs in his last two outings, and he only managed to throw 0.2 innings in those two outings.

There certainly is good reason for alarm with Allen. He had the highest WHIP since his rookie season at 1.36 as he issued the most walks in a season in his career.

And while his K/9 rate of 10.7 is still really solid, it’s the lowest it has been since his rookie season in 2012.

The Angels have made it a priority this offseason to pick up power arms for the bullpen, and Allen fits that bill. He now gives them an experienced closer at the end of games.

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Ken Rosenthal

reported

the specifics of the deal early Friday morning. It sounds like Allen will have a base salary of $8.5 million in 2019, but he can earn up to $11 million through incentives, which includes games finished.

If that’s the case, then this is a very solid deal for the Angels. That also means it would take them close to $170 million for their 2019 payroll, which is above their Opening Day payroll for 2018.

You would think that means this is possibly the last big move of the offseason for the Angels.

Next. Philadelphia Phillies have a Mike Trout dream for 2021. dark

If the deal is complete, I think this could be a very good move for the Los Angeles Angels to help sure up an inexperienced group of relievers.

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