Angels Sign Reliever Joe Smith to Three-Year Deal
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Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — After a disappointing 2013 season, the Los Angeles Angels are rebuilding their roster and they’ve started with the bullpen as they’ve signed relief pitcher Joe Smith to a three-year, $15.75 million deal.
Smith has been one of the better relievers in the American League since joining the Indians back in 2009.
Last season, the 29-year-old Smith went 2-3 with a 2.29 ERA. He had 54 strikeouts in 63.0 innings pitched. In five seasons with the Indians, Smith was 18-11 with a 2.76 ERA.
Smith is expected to serve as the team’s primary set-up man in front of closer Ernesto Frieri.
Despite bringing in free agent Josh Hamilton to pair with Albert Pujols and Mike Trout, the Angels were one of the most disappointing teams in all of baseball last season. The Angels did score the seventh most runs in all of Major League Baseball, but their pitching ranked 24th in Major League Baseball in team ERA.
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