Angels GM Perry Minasian Reveals Thought Process Behind Free Agent Reliever Signings

Perry Minasian gives some insight to his recent decisions.

As the Angels enter a new era — one without Shohei Ohtani for the first time in six years and Ron Washington managing — general manager Perry Minasian has something of a clean slate to choose the direction of the franchise for the first time. 

Recently, Minasian discussed his approach to the Angels' free-agent acquisitions this offseason. As relayed by Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, Minasian addressed the new look of the Angels' bullpen. The team aggressively rebuilt its underwhelming relief corps by acquiring Luis Garcia, Adam Cimber and Adam Kolarek.

When asked about Garcia and Cimber, Minasian said these were simple depth moves for the Angels.

“We're just trying to improve our depth overall in the bullpen. García is somebody that, from over the last three years to four years just taking the ball, throws strikes with velo, keeps us on the ground." Miansian said. "Cimber is a guy who had some health stuff last year, but we feel really good about where he is physically. The previous two to three years before that, he was one of the better relievers in the American League. So somebody that gives you a unique look.”

Per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com

Stockpiling as much depth as possible was a must for the Angels. Their bullpen was nearly depleted by the end of last May, putting them in position to call up pitchers Sam Bachman and Ben Joyce. Both young right-handers would end up spending time on the injured list last year.

Luis Garcia

A veteran of 11 major league seasons, Garcia spent one year with the Angels, in 2019. That year, he posted a 4.35 ERA and allowed 33 walks while allowing an OPS of .800.

Garcia, 36, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent after the 2019 season. He spent the last two years pitching for the San Diego Padres. In 2022, Garcia had a resurgent year with the Padres, finishing with a 3.39 ERA and giving up just 17 walks.

Garcia is 21-27 with a 4.05 ERA in 485 career appearances.

Adam Cimber

Cimber, a 33-year-old right-hander, spent the last two years with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Before having a down year in 2023, Cimber went 10-6 with a 2.80 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts in 2022.

Cimber comes to the Angels on a one-year, $1.65 million contract that could be a low-risk/high-reward experiment.

Adam Kolarek

Just as November was coming to a close, the Angels came to terms with Kolarek on a one-year, $900,000 contract.

The left-hander spent time last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets organizations, appearing in only five major league games. In 46 minor league games, Kolarek went 2-3 with a 3.80 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 42.2 innings.

Kolarek has shown flashes at the major league level. In his first stint with the Dodgers, in 2020, he appeared in 20 games while posting a 0.95 ERA, and holding batters to an average of .164 against him.

Currently one of two left-handed pitchers in the Angels bullpen, Kolarek will try to rediscover his prior success at age 34.