The Los Angeles Angels have been known to receive production from veteran relievers, which includes Steve Cishek and his contributions during the 2021 season. As he looks ahead at a potential 14th year in Major League Baseball, he announced his retirement from the game, while also leaving the door open if the time ever came.
Cishek, 36, was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Florida Marlins and quickly made a name for himself around the league with his funky delivery, which posed issues for opposing hitters. Although he never made an All-Star Game roster, to have the longevity in MLB as a relief pitcher is incredible nevertheless.
His 2021 season with the Angels was solid, carrying a 3.42 ERA and 1.49 WHIP while allowing only two home runs over 68.1 innings pitched.
This past year, he signed with the Washington Nationals, which for now will be his final stop, via Rich Maclone of The Bourne Enterprise:
“It’s time,” Cishek said. “It’s gotten harder for me to bounce back game-to-game. The ball wasn’t coming out as crisp as before, and it felt like I had to pitch differently. I know I’ll get the bug and want to get back out there, but I don’t think I’m pulling a Tom Brady.”
With the Nationals, Cishek posted a 4.21 ERA over 66.1 innings, which was only the second-highest mark of his career, outside of the 2020 shortened season.
Cishek was key in recruiting Noah Syndergaard to the Angels for the 2021 season, noting that Thor could be apart of his most fun time in MLB.
Angels remain focused on adding to infield and pitching
The Angels were one of the busiest clubs around MLB when the offseason kicked off, and now that the crop of free agents has thinned out to the middle tier, they are still pursuing options at positions of need.
General manager Perry Minasian has conducted a pretty thorough and productive free agency period with the signings of Tyler Anderson, Carlos Estévez, and Brandon Drury, banking on players who flashed immense upside this past season. Acquiring Hunter Renfroe and Gio Urshela in trades were solid moves, mainly because of their position heading into their final year of salary arbitration.
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