It was no secret the Angels needed to revamp the bullpen after a disastrous 2025 campaign that saw the unit post the third worst ERA in all of Major League Baseball. On the year the bullpen surrendered nearly as many leads as it held.
And with the one true anchor of the bullpen, Kenley Jansen, gone via free agency, the Angels bullpen looked really thin a couple of months ago. A trade of the steady Brock Burke further thinned the ranks.
But by signing a quartet of seasoned veterans, getting some good news on the injury front, and the reemergence of a former first round draft pick Angels general manager Perry Minasian just might field a decent bullpen after all. As we near the halfway mark through the Cactus League, here is how the unit is shaping up so far.
Locks: Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, Brent Suter, Jordan Romano.
Each of these four veteran arms was signed to a one year free agent deal. All have recorded saves in their career and have long track records of success. Experience as a closer seems to be very important to Minasian. As with most relievers they also have recorded some rough years. But there is sound logic in signing each of them.
Kirby Yates is 2 saves shy of 100 for his career. He had a rough year in LA last year but in 2024 he was otherworldly under the tutelage of pitching coach Mike Maddux. The Angels brought in Maddux to be their pitching coach this off season and if the two are able to combine for anything close to the 62.1 innings of 1.17 ERA ball they produces in 2024 Yates will considered a steal of the off season.
Drew Pomeranz is a lefty who spent most of his career as a starter. Last season he pitched 49.2 innings for the Cubs and struck out 57 batters. He’s remade himself as a reliever and given himself a solid second phase of his career and could be another really good acquisition.
Jordan Romano was once a lights out closer in Toronto but is coming off consecutive down years. He’s looking good early in Spring Training, though. Through three appearances Romano has struck out 3 of the 10 batters he’s faced and has yet to surrender a run or a walk.
Brent Suter is also looking good in a camp and is a reliable middle relief arm. Another southpaw, he pitched 67.2 innings for the Reds last year with a reasonable 4.52 ERA.