The Los Angeles Angels signed left-handed reliever Matt Moore to a one-year contract during the 2022-23 offseason in an attempt to overhaul their bullpen. The 34-year-old southpaw entering his 12th season had just finished an incredible season with the Texas Rangers, and L.A. was hoping to capitalize off of that success.
Moore put together a quality campaign in Anaheim, posting a 2.66 ERA in 44 innings of work, striking out 49 batters compared with 12 walks and totaling a WHIP of 1.023. He was then a part of the Angels’ post-trade deadline waiver purge. He was one of five players to be waived by the Angels as they waved the white flag on 2023, eventually getting picked up by the Cleveland Guardians. He spent less than three weeks there before being waived again and picked up by the Miami Marlins.
Now, after a few months as a free agent, he is going back to where the craziness of 2023 began by reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract with the Angels, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN:
Left-handed reliever Matt Moore and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $9 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Moore joins the recently signed Robert Stephenson, plus previous free agent signings Luis Garcia and Adam Cimber, in a completely overhauled bullpen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 24, 2024
This is the fourth free agent reliever signing by the Angels this offseason, as Passan notes. Moore joins Robert Stephenson, Luis Garcia and Adam Cimber in what looks to be a completely overhauled relief unit. Carlos Estévez (closer), Jose Soriano and Ben Joyce join as other likely guarantees in the bullpen. That’s seven out of a potential 9-10 options.
The Angels are not looking to reset in 2024 despite losing Shohei Ohtani. And what they’ve done so far this offseason is relatively smart. They’ve improved their team with low-risk, short-term signings like Moore, Garcia and Cimber. Now, the question becomes if they’ll make a splash or if they’ll try to contend with the pieced-together roster they have now.
Angels may be willing to add DH
One of the biggest points of contention for the Angels this offseason is the DH hole left behind by Ohtani. Perry Minasian has been hesitant to add one of the big-name options available in order to keep it as a platoon for players like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.
But recently, it has been speculated that if players like J.D. Martinez or Justin Turner would be available for the right price, Minasian might make the splash.