The Angels are stretching reliever Andrew Wantz out as a starter this spring, manager Ron Washington revealed today in chatting with the team’s beat writers (X link via The Athletic’s Sam Blum). The 28-year-old righty has worked almost exclusively as a reliever dating back to the 2021 season, but the Halos feel they need more rotation depth than they have at present, per Washington.
Wantz has been a frequent contributor in the Anaheim bullpen in each of the past three seasons, posting particularly solid results in 2022-23. Over the last two big league campaigns, he’s totaled 89 1/3 frames and worked to a 3.51 ERA, albeit with more dubious underlying numbers.
Wantz sports a roughly average 23.4% strikeout rate in that time but has walked just under 10% of his opponents and averaged 1.2 big flies per nine frames. He’s had some good fortune on balls in play (.232 BABIP), although as an extreme fly-ball pitcher, he’s more apt to carry a lower-than-average mark in that regard. Fielding-independent metrics like FIP (4.32) and SIERA (4.17) feel he’s been solid but perhaps not quite to the extent his ERA would suggest.
While Wantz is no stranger to working multiple innings — he had 11 appearances lasting two innings in 2023 — he’s never pitched more than 2 1/3 innings in a single big league outing. The transition won’t be entirely foreign to him, given he made 18 minor league starts during the 2019 season, but it’s been a good while since he’s been tasked with working in longer stints.
Of course, if the Angels are truly concerned about their rotation depth, there are some rather straightforward ways to address that need. The free agent market is still rife with options, including top names like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, in addition to solid mid-rotation/back-end arms like Mike Clevinger and Michael Lorenzen. There are a handful of rebound candidates who could likely be had on low-cost one-year or even minor league deals, including Eric Lauer, Jake Odorizzi and Johnny Cueto (among others).
From a payroll vantage point, the Angels should be able to accommodate just about anyone — even Snell or Montgomery. After opening the 2023 season with a payroll north of $212MM, they’re projected for a $173.4MM mark, per RosterResource. The Angels are also nearly $50MM shy of the first tier of luxury penalization, so they could accommodate either a long-term deal or a short-term, high-AAV deal with multiple opt-out opportunities, depending on the preferences of Snell/Montgomery. Moving further down the free agent pecking order, someone like Lorenzen or Clevinger could be signed without pushing payroll anywhere close to record levels.
Historically speaking, however, Angels owner Arte Moreno has steadfastly refused to commit long-term deals to pitchers. As shown in MLBTR’s Contract Tracker, last year’s three-year, $39MM deal with Tyler Anderson was the first time the Halos inked a free agent pitcher to a multi-year deal since Joe Blanton’s two-year deal in 2012. You’d have to go way back to C.J. Wilson in 2011 to find the last time the Halos went more than three years on a pitcher.
The Angels haven’t eschewed spending entirely, but they’ve once again focused their free agent efforts on the bullpen. That’s been a familiar trend for the Angels in recent years. Already this offseason, they’ve committed a combined a combined $50.6MM to Robert Stephenson, Matt Moore, Adam Cimber, Luis Garcia, Jose Cisnero and Adam Kolarek. Dating back to the 2021-22 offseason, the Angels have given out 13 big league deals to free-agent relievers — including five multi-year pacts (topped by Raisel Iglesias’ four-year, $58MM deal).
It’s been a questionable strategy for them, given the team’s results over the years. And this year’s group is already off to a somewhat dubious start. As Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports, Stephenson — who signed a three-year, $33MM deal this winter — is dealing with shoulder soreness and is behind schedule in camp. The right-hander believes he’ll be able to pitch at some point this spring but might not be ready for Opening Day.
It’s a suboptimal start to his Angels tenure after the team made a weighty three-year investment on the heels of Stephenson’s four-month breakout with the Rays. The hard-throwing righty was long viewed as an interesting prospect and has had flashes of excellence in his big league career. He’d never put together any kind of run like he did with Tampa Bay last year, though.
After being acquired from the Pirates in a trade sending infielder Alika Williams to Pittsburgh, Stephenson snapped off 38 1/3 innings of 2.35 ERA ball with a gaudy 42.9% strikeout rate against just a 5.7% walk rate. Beyond the eye-popping strikeout rate, Stephenson posted a superhuman 28.9% swinging-strike rate (nearly triple the 11.1% league average) and induced chases on pitches off the plate at a stunning 47.2% clip that topped the league-average 31.9% rate by nearly 16 percentage points.
The Angels are surely envisioning Stephenson as a critical part of their high-leverage relief corps, but word of an early shoulder issue that’s slowed his progression is obviously somewhat ominous. To this point, there’s no indication of a serious issue, but given the magnitude of the team’s investment in the righty, it’s understandable if the Halos want to proceed with caution. Stephenson played catch yesterday and felt good after throwing, Fletcher notes.
Stephenson isn’t the only pitcher in camp who’s a bit banged up. Washington also revealed today (via Fletcher) that lefty Jose Suarez hasn’t pitched yet due to a “dead arm” following winter ball. He’s expected to get on the mound at some point this spring and could yet be ready for Opening Day, but that’s not a given.
It’s a tough way to start a pivotal spring for the 26-year-old Suarez. As recently as 2021-22, he looked the part of a controllable fourth starter who could hold a rotation spot in Anaheim for several years. The 2023 season was an unmitigated disaster for the southpaw, however. Shoulder trouble limited him to just 33 2/3 big league innings (plus another 3 1/3 frames of rehab work), and he was shelled for an 8.29 ERA in that time. Suarez served up a massive ten home runs in that small sample (2.67 HR/9), saw his strikeout rate plummet from 22.3% to 17%, and watched his walk rate spike from 7.1% to 12.1%.
A 2024 rebound for Suarez is particularly critical, given that he’s now out of minor league options. If he opens the season on the injured list, that’d actually give the Angels a few weeks to take a look at Suarez in the minors on a rehab assignment, but whenever he’s healthy, he’ll either need to be on the big league roster or else be traded to a team who’ll carry him or exposed to outright waivers.
Moribund organization.
Really difficult to be a fan of this organization
Remember that time when they signed Syndergaard to a 1yr 21 million dollar contract and he pitched a total of 80 innings? That was awesome.
That was money well spent compared to giving Matt Harvey $11 million to pitch 59 innings and distribute illegal oxycodone in the clubhouse.
They traded him for more value than they would’ve gotten out of the draft pick they forfeited
@fletcherfan69 exactly they got moniak for Thor, I say it was worth it. Essentially they bought a prospect.
Most people won’t get the Farley reference. Thumbs up Sir.
It starts as a conversation about a depth starter and immediately goes to the guy asking for $200MM. That’s not a depth starter! Now every comment is about spending money!
I feel like the Angels Front Office just looked at TradeRumor’s Top 50 Free Agents and thought “Hey, Robert Stephenson is pretty high, lets sign him for multiple years.”
Who knows though? He could be really effective for them.
It’s far too early to jump to conclusions on Stephenson.
I get fans are reactionary, but even for reactionary fans, it’s too soon.
Not really sure why you guys have an issue.
Wantz has options, what the Angels are saying is one or two of the older guys are going to make the pen and since Wantz has options, he’ll be in AAA.
They are also saying, since we are unlikely to compete, we are not going to be suckered in by Boras’s BS, and sign a stupid contract.
And for those Angel fans upset at Rendon putting faith and family ahead of baseball, Montgomery and Snell are putting money ahead of baseball and any team that signs them. They just don’t say it.
I don’t blame any player for putting such things ahead of baseball.
It’s not Anthony’s commitment to family, it’s his timing of making that statement. He’s been in the major leagues for a while and he choses now to disclose that? Rather than acknowledge he’s basically received a huge amount of money for minimal results.
If you want to rip him for being a social idiot, and terrible with the press, I concur.
As we all know, sometimes it’s better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you’re an idiot than open your mouth and remove all doubt.
@halo11fan is your last name rendon. You can’t really defend him even if you try this isn’t a new thing. Papelbon said he was the same way in Washington the angels just needed to do better research, when they signed him. It’s his interviews, getting suspended for messing with a fan, smiling when he has a throwing error, getting a 8th opinion on a injury to miss the rest of the season, and probably many to come until they cut him in a couple years.
No. My last name is consistency and common sense.
Freese can have two DUIs, and lie about falling asleep while driving and hitting a deer an not report it until he sober ups and fans love him because he’s clutch.
But suck for three years and say Baseball is only a priority and not a passion, and it’s time to tar and feather the guy.
Fans don’t use their brains.
Washington basically pulled a Hamilton. Washington is great, Hamilton needed to be dragged out back and shot.
If you’re good, you can drive drunk. If you are bad, watch it.
@halos11fan most of those guys were done afterwards. The league didn’t touch them maybe half a year on the vet minimum like Hamilton. I think freese played a year in Pittsburgh. Washington resigned most likely was forced because he jumped right back into baseball the season afterwards, and wasn’t even considered for a manager job for a decade even with a proven track record. I haven’t seen anyone defend them. I guess it comes down to the price the said individual is making because it definitely makes the franchise take a couple steps back. Hamilton is part of the reason why they had nothing but reclamation projects. People aren’t tar and feathering Rendon for being a bad person it’s because he shows a lack of effort on the field, and confirms it when he speaks. Unfortunately the angels have no choice but to keep him because he’s alright for 40 games, and they have to pay him no matter what.
People defended Freese like crazy. I defended Hamilton, but what Washington did was much worse.
I couldn’t give a flying leap about what a player is passionate about.
Don’t cheat(PEDs). Don’t be a drag on society. Keep in good shape. Play Hard. And I won’t judge you.
I’m think it’s nuts to be upset with Rendon.
Tendon is a dueche (drops mic)
Is your last name Blum?
“Upset at Rendon putting faith”…Anthony Rendon is a phony who’s hiding behind “family”. You don’t have to choose between “family” and employment since millions of people do both every day. I guess Anthony Rendon didn’t care about his family in D.C, before he got paid. He only “cares” now, because he needs an excuse to justify stealing money he didn’t earn.
I’m pretty sure Rendon has always been up front about his devotion to faith. He even claimed it as a reason for signing with the Angels instead of the Dodgers, because even though they’re only 40 miles away from each other, he supposedly thought Orange County would be more suitable for him and his family given their devout lifestyle.
@ MLB. Players are paid for what they’ve done in the past. That’s what their salaries are based on. So he did earn the contract Arte gave him.
Wow, is your synopsis a major oversimplification. Name one person who has complained that Rendon puts faith and family first? Nearly all people do this no matter their profession. No, the issue became when he said baseball has never been a priority in his life. It came when he complained the season is too long. It came when he refused to talk to the media. It came when he did not express a desire to win or remorse for not being on the field. It’s his I can take baseball or leave it attitude that is the issue. No one is asking Moreno to overpay for Snell or Montgomery, but the team rhetoric about winning and competing was undermined when they refused to trade Ohtani, and the recent revelation that Moreno refused to offer payment deferrals to Ohtani. They have yet to replace any portion of Ohtani’s bat and the fact they have not added a starter yet leaves two massive holes in a team that has only won 73 games two-years in a row with the best player in the game.
They complain because he’s been injured and said it. It doesn’t matter to you people that he said baseball is a priority.
Because he didn’t say it like a phony politician, you have disdain for him.
I think it’s stupid.
Now you’re just making stuff up. Rendon did not say he prioritizes baseball. That’s not true. He said he’s willing to walk away if it interferes with his life. What the hell are you talking about? He is downright nasty to the press. Refuses to make himself available to the fans. He’s only played 200 games over 4 seasons and makes no apology, or says anything inspiring about his desire to win. He’s produced nothing on the field and he’s been negative off. What exactly are you sticking up for? I’m misjudging him? Really? Maybe you should raise your standards? Does it matter that numerous ex-teammates have come forward saying Rendon has always voiced his disdain for the game? He’s just good at it, but he doesn’t love it. BTW… when you’re getting paid $38.5M I expect you to do more than just show up. Lead.
Rendon doesn’t owe you a thing. You’re just jealous of him. You’re just a pathetic fanboy that thinks a MLB player needs to think like a loser like you. I am just saying the truth.
Right on point, Carl. I put my faith and family above my work, but I am still passionate about my career. All three can co-exist in that order. Rendon is his own worst PR nightmare.
Right. Washington priorities were his mistress and cocaine, but since his passion is baseball, he’s cool.
He has to have a passion? Fans are nuts. A lot of players don’t even watch baseball after they retire.
For $30M, fake a passion. It’s the entertainment industry. Quit trying to defend a sub performer who has already given up on his own season.
You’d be surprised how many of today’s and past ballplayers feel the same way as Rendon. But they don’t have the balls to say it.
Today’s Media and social platforms fans the flames. most everything is taken out of context for click baits.
I belong to several Angels Facebook pages and there are guys that just love ANYTHING that comes along about Rendon that is anything close to being something negative..
They can rip into him. Like they do on here..
Winslow- are you saying that Rendon has just been misunderstood or taken out of context and otherwise has spoken and acted appropriately?
@winslow leach media is a problem if you stick your foot in your mouth like Rendon, the lady on talking bats can’t remember her name said that was the nicest she has seen Rendon. Said he’s always rude. You just have to play the game give them generic boring interviews, and they will go away. He’s a d-head, and gives them plenty of ammunition to run with.
Why come in our comment section and make sense??
Wantz as a starter. YES, that’s what we’re missing. Insert eye-roll here.
Payroll is down but so is all the money Ohtani brought in overseas sponsorships. And ticket sales will be way down. So cash flow is probably about level.
That said, the Diamond group got their $450 million financing deal set and Arte has TV money guaranteed for this year.
It is inexcusable to not add a Clevinger or Lorenzen on a one year deal.
You’re right. But the way you generate more income is to win. People come to the games and TV ratings rise. Merchandise is sold. Playoffs generates money. Just keep in mind that Moreno can afford to go above the tax threshold– he chooses not too. He’s made $3B just on the franchise value which is monetized as collateral that allows him to borrow and invest in other areas. The money he makes overall is ridiculous. He can afford to sign Snell and Montgomery and Martinez to DH— He can. That’s about $65M for all three. We’re at $159M– that’s $234M total payroll. That’s a team that will go to the playoffs.
No excuse for not spending money. Angels have higher revenue than the Braves and Blue Jays woh are at $576 million and $542 million. Arte can afford to spend more money and still make a fat profit.
“… Jose Suarez hasn’t pitched yet due to a “dead arm”…”
Suarez’ career is dead. The arm is just a side note.
@prov356 was thinking the same thing atleast they can put him on the 60 dl possibly.
Wantz as a starter. Who’s idea was this? I just don’t see it as a good idea. Suarez should be cut, he’s done. Didn’t we sign Plesac or someone else to be in a long relief position? I have no opinion on Stephenson, except that its funny that Arte has a history of not signing starting pitchers to long contracts, but apparently a relief pitcher is ok.
Wantz isn’t a two pitch pitcher. He throws 3 pitches over 20% of the time and two other pitches a combined 12% of the time.
What’s the harm in stretching him out?
Plesac will start in AAA. So will Wantz. What are the Angels going to do if two starters go down? It makes sense to me.
He signed Sp Anderson to the same number of years 3
What? Stretch Wantz out? I am appalled !
I demand to be traded to the Phillies.
Signed Mike Trout
I just thought I would beat the typical Trout being traded response.
Wash will be making plenty of lemonade this summer….
Halo11 will be lapping it up (while wearing their Rendon jersey)
Isn’t he still wearing his Fletcher jersey?
He Wantz to be a starter.
Arte isn’t spending any more money on free agents. I’m sure he realizes the revenue they’re going to lose this season not having Ohtani. They’re going to struggle to put fans in the stands this Summer, especially if they’re out the race by June which is a realistic possibility with the current roster.
Whatever Mr. Downer, the Angels would have to be the worst team they ever fielded, to be out of it so early and by June. BTW, there far from there least talented teams. If you’re going to be a hater, at least say by July.
You’re a funny guy. You really think this roster can compete with the Astros, Rangers and Mariners? Because that’s what you’re saying. The only team the Angels will be competing with this season is the A’s, for 4th place. We don’t have the pitching and we don’t have the offense but go ahead and keep drinking that Arte Moreno kool-aid.
A’s are going to lose 100+ games. The Angels will only lose 85. this is when we really need a crying laughing emoji.
Yeah because your comment made me laugh.
Truth makes you laugh. Good to know.
No, idiocy makes me laugh. Thanks for that.
Its good that you can laugh at yourself.
Laughing at you, clown.
The Angels will save $30 million on Ohtani’s salary and make $20 million less in sponsorships. They will still have a higher revenue than either the Braves or the Blue Jays, so more than $576 million. NO excuse for Arte not to spend. He is just a fargin’ greedy bastage.
Nope, I don’t care much for his Kool aid. But by some outside chance he signs a Snell or Monty. They’d have an outside chance at a WC if things broke right.
Bottom line, this is more of a re-boot year, and the one thing you’ll always need to keep building up on is starting pitching, which they have a ways to go. You might as well grab 1 now, because it’s tough to amass it all at once.
I don’t know about that. Angels also have to compete with a tough AL East division for a wild card spot.
I don’t know about that either. Hahaha.. I can see it flip flopping this year, and 3 teams in the AL west make it, and 2 in the east. That said, 3rd place could be had by the Angels.
I highly doubt Arte pays Snell what he wants and signing one of those guys doesn’t make us contenders. It won’t make us better than the Rangers, Astros or Mariners so why waste the money? Arte knows this and he also knows their attendance is going to be down this season.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to seeing Neto, Moniak and O’Hoppe play and I’m hoping Adell can finally put things together offensively but this team is not a contender. Our starting rotation is questionable at best and so is the bullpen. I don’t trust Estevez as our closer even after his good first half last season. He was a big reason why we fell out of the wildcard race in August. As it stands right now, this is not a .500 team and we’ll be lucky to reach 80 wins.
I think Estevez just got a tired.. 23 was the first time he was actually in a closer role.He now knows he has to do a better job of pacing himself to stay fresh.
A better manager who knows how to use the BP and a better BP obviously will go a long way too.
We know as an absolute that Arte is not signing any starting pitcher to the 7 or 8 year deal it would take to get Snell. Not even the 5-6 year deal it would take to get Montgomery.
To get Snell on a short deal means paying a much higher AAV than the $30 million that he was expected to sign for long term. That would take the Angels over the CBT so Arte won’t do that either.
We are stuck with watching the guys that are on the roster today with maybe some veteran low level players being added as filler. .
Getting Snell to sign the short term deal that Arte would allow would mean a huge AAV. More than the $30 million he is asking for over 7-8 years. Bellinger got $8 million more than anyone expected to sign a 3 year deal with opt outs. So that would mean $36-38 million for Snell to sign a short deal with opt outs and that would take the Angels over the CBT.
NOT Happening.
No, there $50m + under it.
You are correct. So they could go give Snell $36-38 million and still be under the CBT. Do you think Arte will do that? Or do you think he will pocket even more profits and do nothing more of note?
Faith, family, injuries and salary aside, Rendon was a bad MLB player last season:
– OPS+ 88,
– OAA -5 in 43 games. That’s
nearly -20 over 162 games. OAA
has Rendon at -3 coming in and
-4 moving to his left. Moving
in and to the left is primarily
what a 3B is asked to do, and
– Sprint Speed – 26.5. Slower
than Major League average and
slower than Schanuel.
Rendons not getting any younger so its hard to make a case for his on-field performance improving over the final three years of his contract.
Rendon doesn’t seem to care about baseball. He got his money and is going through the motions at this point.
If the Angels had another option at 3B it would be worth it to just release him, but Arte won’t eat that money with no other star players to fill his spot in the lineup.
That they are counting on Wantz making starts this season says all Angel’s fans need to know about Arte ever signing a top pitcher. Snell and Montgomery will be playing elsewhere opening day.