On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels introduced Aaron Loup, who they signed to a two-year, $17 million deal earlier this month. Loup is a left-handed reliever who is coming off a dominant 2021 season with the New York Mets.
He instantly becomes one of the most reliable options in the Angels bullpen, even if they do eventually re-sign free agent Raisel Iglesias. However, his specific role with the team is still in question as they build out the rest of their roster.
Loup made it clear that he is not concerned with where and when he gets innings, just so long as he is able to contribute in a positive way, according to Taylor Blake Ward of HomePlateView:
Aaron Loup on what role he expects to play for Angels: "I've never been one to really need a role per se. Just give me the ball whenever you need me… I'll start games if I need to start games… I'll do whatever. Close games. Set up games. Whatever."
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) November 30, 2021
He also said that he was happy to be joining the Angels, as it’s a team he has had interest in playing for in the past.
Aaron Loup said that the Angels had been a team that was interested in his in the past during free agency, had positives to say about Trout, Ohtani, Rendon, and Syndergaard: "I like what the Angels have."
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) November 30, 2021
It’s unlikely that the Angels will ask Loup to start any games. And if they re-sign Iglesias, he won’t be closing games either. But it’s very possible he finds himself as the go-to set-up pitcher for the team in seventh and eighth innings.
Last season, Iglesias was forced to record a number of multi-inning saves because the Angels did not have relievers reliable enough to hold one or two run leads late in games. Loup could be the remedy to that issue, limiting a closer’s usage and allowing him to play in more games as opposed to more innings in less games.
If Iglesias signs elsewhere, it’s possible that Loup becomes the team’s closer. His numbers with the Mets last year suggest he’s more than capable of shutting down opponents in the final inning.
Angels agree to one-year deal with Michael Lorenzen
While he may start the year as the sixth man in the Angels rotation, Michael Lorenzen is another pitcher the Angels have reportedly agreed to terms with. He has been a reliever since 2015, but was supposed to be moved back into the starting rotation with the Cincinnati Reds in 2021 before getting injured.