Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Monday evening that they have agreed to terms with LHP Aaron Loup on a two-year contract. The news marks the end of Loup’s brief but memorable tenure in Flushing, with the Louisiana native following former Met Noah Synderaard in departing for the Halos. Loup’s deal is worth $17 million over those two seasons, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal
Loup entered free agency coming off of fantastic 2021 season for the Mets. Operating for most of the season as the lone left-handed reliever in the Mets’ bullpen, Loup posted a sterling 0.95 ERA in 56.2 innings pitched. Needless to say, the traditional counting stats were the best of Loup’s career by a significant margin.
However, Loup, who turns 34 years old next month, has been a rather consistent – if somewhat under the radar – performer since his major league debut with Toronto in 2012. For his career, the Louisiana native has compiled a very respectable 3.05 ERA across 407.2 innings pitched. Loup has been performed particularly well across the past two seasons, combining for a 1.44 ERA over that span.
The Angels, whose 4.69 team ERA ranked 12th of 15th in the American League last season, continue to bulk up their pitching staff heading into 2022.
The news will likely come as a disappointment to many Mets fans who were hoping the team would re-sign Loup after a season in which he was without doubt the team’s most reliable reliever. For what its worth, the New York Post’s Ken Davidoff had the Mets re-signing Loup for 3 years and $27 million in his offseason predictions.
Instead, the Mets will now embark on their annual tradition of searching for a reliable left handed relief option or two on the free agent market.
