Angels strengthen their bullpen with the signing of Speier

ofhdhdy · 11-20-2006, 01:20 AM

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/a...2006&fext=.jsp

Quote:

The Angels added free-agent right-hander Justin Speier to their bullpen on Sunday, agreeing to a four-year contract with the 33-year-old reliever.
"Our bullpen has been one of the most consistent elements of our game in recent years, and we feel Justin will be an excellent addition in continuing that trend," Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said in a statement. "His success in recent years is indicative of someone who is a team-first guy and wants the ball in key situations."

Speier spent the last three seasons with the Blue Jays, posting a 3.18 ERA with 163 strikeouts over that span. Last year, he went 2-0 with a 2.98 ERA in 58 appearances -- mainly serving as Toronto's setup man. Speier also struck out 55 batters over 51 1/3 innings in 2006.

In 2005, Speier posted a 2.57 ERA in 65 outings for the Jays. Twice over the last three seasons -- in 2004 and again last year -- Speier had stints on the disabled list due to a right forearm strain. He missed about a month both times. Over nine seasons, Speier has gone 27-20 with a 4.02 ERA and 17 saves with the Jays, Rockies, Indians, Braves, Marlins and Cubs.

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Good signing by the Angels. I am very disappointed the Jays didn't re-sign this guy who was probably (besides Ryan) the best releif pitcher for us last year.

Dada · 11-20-2006, 02:00 AM

Halos are going to have Speier in the 7th, Shields in the 8th and Frankie in the 9th??? Wow, nasty! It would be awesome to see those relievers.

I agree, great signing.

Sawman · 11-20-2006, 03:43 PM

From Rotoworld:

Quote:

The Justin Speier signing increases the chances that the Angels will trade or non-tender Brendan Donnelly.

The Times has suggested both last week and this week that the 35-year-old Donnelly could be non-tendered, but that hardly seems necessary in this market. Donnelly isn't the pitcher he was back in 2002-03, but he's still managed to keep his ERA under 4.00 the last two years. We're sure several teams would like to have him at the approx. $2 million he'll receive in arbitration.

I have a feeling that the Angels will offer Donnelly arbitration and possibly trade him. I sure hope they do, anyway.

Sawman · 11-20-2006, 03:56 PM

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Angels "stealthy emergence" at the last moment ultimately led to Speier's signing with the Halos

Quote:

"He had expressed an interest to stay on the West Coast if at all possible," Orioles vice president Jim Duquette said of Speier, who makes his offseason home in Arizona. "Prior to the Angels getting in, there wasn't a West Coast team that had made a serious offer, so we had a very good chance. ... But in the end, he had a West Coast team interested. That's what his agent told us."

Link

Goose · 11-21-2006, 09:44 AM

For a team that has a reputation of building good, young, cheap bullpens, it's kind of odd seeing Stoneman hand out 4 years to a guy who's 33 years old.

Sawman · 11-21-2006, 12:34 PM

I think Stoneman recognized Speier as a guy with closer potential that many teams were going to be after. The $4.5 million per is not going to prevent them from doing other things, so he grabbed value where he saw it. The acquisition puts them in a very good position to deal, also, and I don't necessarily just mean this year. In a couple of years, Speier will be a less expensive option than K-Rod, FWIW.

11-20-2006, 02:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dada Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 125	Halos are going to have Speier in the 7th, Shields in the 8th and Frankie in the 9th??? Wow, nasty! It would be awesome to see those relievers. I agree, great signing.

11-21-2006, 09:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Goose Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aberdeen,Wa Posts: 1,190	For a team that has a reputation of building good, young, cheap bullpens, it's kind of odd seeing Stoneman hand out 4 years to a guy who's 33 years old.

11-21-2006, 12:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sawman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Riverside, Ca. Posts: 259	I think Stoneman recognized Speier as a guy with closer potential that many teams were going to be after. The $4.5 million per is not going to prevent them from doing other things, so he grabbed value where he saw it. The acquisition puts them in a very good position to deal, also, and I don't necessarily just mean this year. In a couple of years, Speier will be a less expensive option than K-Rod, FWIW.