Los Angeles Angels Roster
- AL West
- Stadium
- Angel Stadium of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year deal worth roughly $7 million with free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen, according to a source. The 29-year-old has experience as both a starter and reliever, and he has a 4.07 ERA over 473 1/3 innings over seven seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. Lorenzen, who is one of the better hitting pitchers in the league, was born in Anaheim and played at Cal State Fullerton. He pitched only in relief in 2021 after not making his season debut until July due to a shoulder injury, and he wasn't terribly effective with a 5.59 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 29 innings. Lorenzen made 21 starts in his rookie year in 2015, but he's made just five starts since. He's been better in his career in relief (3.74 ERA), but given the Angels need for starters, Lorenzen is expected to compete for a rotation spot in spring training.
The Los Angeles Angels acquired utility man Tyler Wade from the New York Yankees Monday, per a Yankees team announcement. The Yankees will receive either cash or a player to be named later in the swap, and the Angels announced that they have designated utility man Kean Wong for assignment in a corresponding move. The speedy, versatile Wade appeared in 103 games in 2021, slashing .268/.354/.323 with no home runs and 17 steals across just 145 plate appearances. He figures to fill a do-it-all role for the Angels in 2022, while providing a speed-and-defense fallback option should the club fail to sign a top shortstop on the free agent market.
The Los Angeles Angels have signed left-handed relief pitcher Aaron Loup to a two-year contract with $17 million dollars guaranteed. Loup will make $7.5 million dollars in the 2022 and 2023 seasons and then be subject to a $7.5 million dollar option in 2024 with a $2 million dollar buyout. This move reunites Loup with general manager Perry Minasian, who worked for the Blue Jays when Loup was in Toronto. Loup was arguably the best relief pitcher in the major leagues in 2021, when he allowed a 0.95 ERA in 56 2/3 innings for the New York Mets. He'll only hold value in fantasy leagues that reward holds, and he is not worth drafting.
Infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade was designated for assignment on Friday by the New York Yankees as part of a series of transactions that saw a number of prospects added to the team's 40-man roster. Wade hit .268 in 145 plate appearances for New York last season, and while he didn't hit for much power with a .055 ISO, the 26-year-old registered a .354 on-base percentage and stole 17 bases while playing every position except first base, pitcher and catcher.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was unanimously named the 2021 Most Valuable Player of the American League Thursday after a historic season in which he made 23 starts on the mound, compiling a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings as well as slashed .257/.372/.592 with 46 home runs, 26 steals, 100 RBI, and 103 runs in 633 plate appearances. Ohtani received the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2018, and he now adds another piece of hardware by way of 30 first-place votes.