Angels Sign Veteran Reliever Hunter Strickland After Release by AL West Rival
The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran reliever Hunter Strickland to a minor league contract as they look to strengthen their bullpen options.
Strickland, who pitched for the Angels last season with a solid 3.31 ERA, was later picked up by the Texas Rangers in the spring. However, his time in Texas didn’t work out as planned.
While the Angels’ hitters have struggled recently, the team’s pitching staff has also had issues keeping games competitive, prompting the search for new additions to help rebuild the bullpen.
Strickland brings some promising metrics from last season that suggest he can still be an asset. His expected ERA was 3.49, which aligns closely with his actual performance and contributed to a 0.3 WAR, indicating he was above replacement level.
The Angels have signed free agent RHP Hunter Strickland to a minor league deal, according to their transactions page.
He had a 3.31 ERA with the Angels last year. Got a shot with the Rangers in the spring, but they released him.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) May 7, 2025
However, there are concerns as he enters the season at 36 years old, with his fastball velocity dipping slightly to 94.5 mph last year, down from 95.2 mph in 2022.
Despite this, Strickland could still offer value to the Angels, particularly if he can replicate his 2024 numbers. The team has struggled with pitching, ranking among the bottom five in ERA, ERA+, FIP, and WHIP—well below league averages. With the offense also underperforming, the Angels have been one of the worst teams in baseball.
If the hitters can get back on track and the pitching improves, Strickland could play a key role in helping the Angels turn things around and secure more wins this season.
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