Dodgers Miss Out on Free Agent Right-Handed Reliever, Who Agrees to Deal With Angels

They'll have to look elsewhere for bullpen help.

With Josh Hader coming off the board on Friday morning, it didn't take long for the market to heat up for another top reliever in free agent Robert Stephenson.

According to Robert Murray of FanSided, Stephenson and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a deal, pending a physical.

Free-agent pitcher Robert Stephenson in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 20, 2024

Stephenson has been linked to the Dodgers all offseason long, while the Angels weren't one of the teams known to be in on him. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi on Thursday, the New York Mets, Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies were the teams showing interest in Stephenson.

As the Josh Hader talks pick up with Houston, per @Ken_Rosenthal and @Chandler_Rome, the market is moving forward for Robert Stephenson, the top available righty reliever.

The Mets, Dodgers, and Phillies are among the clubs with interest in Stephenson. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 19, 2024

Stephenson, 30, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays last year. After a rocky start to 2023, he pitched arguably the best stretch of his eight-year career with the Rays.

He made 42 appearances with the Rays with a 2.35 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts. These numbers are a stark contrast to his career ERA and WHIP of 4.64 and 1.38, respectively. 

It's reportedly a three-year deal with an option, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Stephenson gets 3 years plus option https://t.co/tKyqXxvFBq

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2024

The Dodgers have now missed out on two of their potential bullpen targets this offseason. They'll have to go back to the market to find bullpen help.