The Los Angeles Angels bullpen has been a disaster for much of the season. While Chris Rodriguez and Tony Watson have been solid, the rest of the Angels’ bullpen has been a disaster. As a whole, the bullpen has posted a 5.32 ERA heading into Saturday, 27th in the majors and the worst in the American League.
Help is on the way. The Angels have traded for Hunter Strickland, with either cash considerations or a player to be named later heading to the Tampa Bay Rays.
#Rays have traded Strickland to #Angels
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 15, 2021
Los Angeles Angels keep addressing bullpen
A solid reliever during his time with the Giants, Strickland had lost his way after the 2018 season. He had posted a combined 5.86 ERA and a 1.302 WHiP in 29.2 innings between three teams, allowing six homers in that span. Needless to say, expectations were not high when he signed in Tampa Bay.
But as is often the case, the Rays were able to bring out the best in a player from the scrap heap. That was the case with Strickland, who posted a 1.69 ERA and a 1.250 WHiP in his 16 innings, striking out 16 batters with just six walks. He easily outperformed his contract in Tampa Bay, becoming an asset in his own right.
For the Angels, this is just another bandage slapped on the same cut. They have attempted to make temporary fixes to their bullpen seemingly every year with nothing to show for it. The faces may have changed, but the results are the same. Strickland is just the next in that ongoing line.
But the Angels have to do something. Pitching has been a continual problem for the franchise, dooming them to the basement of the AL West despite a strong offense. If Strickland can continue his unexpected success, he would give Los Angeles another piece for a solid bullpen, at least for one year.
The Los Angeles Angels are slapping another bandage on their problems in acquiring Hunter Strickland. But they needed to do something.