Angels Fans React to Halos Making First Big Signing of 2023 Offseason
The Los Angeles Angels finally made a big splash in the free agency market. The New York Post's baseball columnist Jon Heyman reported that the Angels had signed top right-handed relief pitcher Robert Stephenson.
According to many pundits, Stephenson was among the top 25 free agents in the market. He now lands in Southern California as the Halos attempt to build a contender this offseason.
Angels fans should be ecstatic about the addition of Stephenson. That seems to be the case with many, but some aren't as optimistic.
As I said, some fans are more optimistic than others. Stephenson's career ERA isn't too much to flash about, but his numbers as of June 2023 were elite as elite gets. He ranked first in strikeout percentage (44.7%), strikeout-walk percentage (40.7%), 0.65 WHIP, 1.82 xFIP, 31.6 31.6 SwStr% and a 49.6% chase rate.
Stephenson is the definition of "what have you done for me lately." His numbers show that he is worth the money. On top of those numbers, his tweaker slider is an elite pitch, along with his fastball, which travels 96.8 MPH and a splitter.
The Halos haven't had a pitcher pan out for them via the free-agent market. Hopefully, that all changes with Stephenson over the next three seasons.
