Angels Building Elite Bullpen With Yet Another Signing

The Los Angeles Angels have been extremely busy today—busy putting together one of the top bullpens in the American League. Following their signing of Archie Bradley earlier, they've now signed one of the top late-inning relievers in all of baseball, inking Ryan Tepera to a two-year, $14M deal. 

Ryan Tepera agrees to two-year, $14M deal with Angels, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/l36OmwGlst

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) March 17, 2022

The 34-year-old Tepera was practically untouchable in 2021, allowing a mere 35 hits in 61.1 innings pitched, while striking out 74. His sparkling 0.88 WHIP was easily one of the league's best, and he averaged 10.9 Ks per 9 innings. 

Tepera split the season on both sides of Chicago, starting his year with the Cubs on the North Side, then moving to the South Sider White Sox to complete the campaign, enjoying success equally with both teams. 

The right-hander will act as an elite set-up man to lights-out closer Raisel Iglesias. Bradley-to-Tepera-to-Iglesias. Opponents are best-advised to get their business done in the first six innings against the Angels this season. 

Unfortunately, however, that starting rotation is still in need of an upgrade. They took a chance on Noah Syndergaard with a one-year deal, to add to Shohei Ohtani at the top of the rotation, and they're hoping for another step up from impressive youngster 25-year-old Patrick Sandoval. But another primary starting pitcher should definitely still be on the Angels' shopping list. 

Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports