Updated Post – Jan. 19 at 9:48 PM
Jolly Olive reports that the Angels have signed Robert Stephenson to a three-year deal.
Original Post – Jan. 18 at 8:12 PM
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the New York Mets are one of the teams interested in reliever Robert Stephenson. Morosi also notes that the Dodgers and Phillies are interested too.
After a tough 2022 season, Robert Stephenson got off to a rocky start in 2023. The 30-year-old appeared in 18 games for the Pirates, posting a 5.14 ERA with an unsightly 13.1% walk rate through 14 innings. In early June, Pittsburgh shipped Stephenson to Tampa Bay for infielder Alika Williams.
Like many pitchers in the last decade, Stephenson was nearly unhittable after the trade to the Rays. He appeared in 42 games for Tampa Bay, recording a sparkling 2.35 ERA/2.45 FIP and a 0.678 WHIP in 38 1/3 innings, striking out 42.9% of his opponents against just a 5.7% walk rate. Opponents managed an anemic .487 OPS against him and he allowed a hard-hit rate of just 26.4%.
