The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.075 million deal with left-handed pitcher Jose Quijada to avoid arbitration. The deal also includes a club option for the 2026 season worth $3.75 million. The Angels announced the deal on Tuesday morning.
Quijada has been a member of the Angels organization since the 2020 season. He was waived by the Miami Marlins after his debut in 2019 and was picked up by L.A. ahead of the shortened 2020 campaign. Over the last five years, he has spent much of his time in the minors with Triple-A Salt Lake, but has shown some promise at the Major League level.
His best season as a pro was 2022. He tossed 40.2 innings out of the Angels bullpen, posting a 3.98 ERA and 1.131 WHIP. He regressed in 2023 but showed a hint of a rebound in 2024 when he held a 3.26 ERA in 19.1 innings. That came with a 4.30 fielding-independent pitching (FIP), but still was an improvement over 2023.
The $1.075 million contract with Quijada allows the Angels to avoid heading to arbitration. It is Quijada’s second arb.-eligible season, meaning only 2026 remains before he hits free agency. The club option shows that the Angels may have some faith in a turnaround for the LHP.
If Quijada has a strong season, the Angels have the ability to keep Quijada and wipe out his final arbitration-eligible season at a reasonable cost of $3.75 million. That’s both a strong figure for the Angels if Quijada has a good 2025 and a nice pay raise for Quijada if he earns it.
Angels land No. 1 international catching prospect
Gabriel Davalillo, the No. 17 international prospect per MLB Pipeline, has agreed to terms with a deal as the headliner of the Los Angeles Angels’ 2025 international class. The 17-year-old backstop also ranks as the No. 1 catching prospect in this year’s group.
Davalillo’s bonus is worth $2 million. The club received $6.26 million in pool money this year.
The 17-year-old out of Venezuela is seen as an offense-first backstop with a powerful swing. A right-handed bat, he is also able to hit to all parts of the field and leg out extra-base hits. He has drawn comparisons to fellow Venezuelan catcher Francisco Alvarez offensively, as Davalillo similarly boasts sizable pop from a sub-6-foot frame.
This is not an exhaustive list, but here are just some of the players that the Angels added through international free agency this winter and their bonuses.
Yilver De Paula, SS, Dominican Republic — $900,000
Jose Santana, SS, Dominican Republic — $400,000
Yojancel Cabrera, SS, Dominican Republic — $400,000
Cesar Paredes, SS, Dominican Republic — $350,000
Junior Suriel, OF, Dominican Republic — $300,000
Albert Morel, RHP, Dominican Republic — $300,000
Yelinson Betances, OF, Dominican Republic — $300,000
