TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels are set to add two major additions to their bullpen, as they agreed to terms with veteran right-handers Archie Bradley and Ryan Tepera on Thursday, according to multiple reports. Bradley agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.75 million early in the day, while Tepera agreed to a two-year pact worth $14 million.
The Angels have not confirmed either deal, as they’re both pending physicals and they’ll have to make corresponding moves to make room for the two relievers on the 40-man roster.
But they both should bring a boost to the bullpen, as they’ve been stellar throughout their careers and were solid last year. Bradley, 29, posted a 3.71 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 22 walks in 51 innings with the Phillies in 2021 and has a career 2.98 ERA with 297 strikeouts in 284 1/3 innings as a reliever. And Tepera, 34, posted a 2.79 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 19 walks in 61 1/3 innings with the Cubs and White Sox last year and has a career 3.48 ERA with 308 strikeouts in 297 1/3 frames.
Bradley hinted he was signing with the Angels early on Thursday, posting a GIF from the movie “Angels in the Outfield,” only to later delete his tweet. But Angels superstar Mike Trout retweeted him before Bradley took it down.
Bradley and Tepera figure to be two of the club’s primary setup relievers behind closer Raisel Iglesias. Lefty Aaron Loup was also signed to a two-year deal worth $17 million, while other internal options include Mike Mayers, Austin Warren, José Quijada and Andrew Wantz.
Bradley has pitched in the Majors for seven years with the D-backs, Reds and Phillies, posting a 3.89 ERA with 465 strikeouts in 463 innings. He was the No. 7 overall selection in the 2011 Draft out of Broken Arrow (Okla.) High School and was a top prospect. He was a starter with Arizona from 2015-16 before being moved to relief.
Bradley works with both a four-seamer and a two-seamer that both average around 94 mph, and he pairs them with a curveball and a changeup. Bradley uses his curveball more against right-handers, while he relies on his changeup more against lefties. He’s mostly used as a one-inning reliever, although he did go more than one inning in seven appearances last year.
Tepera, meanwhile, has been a reliever throughout his seven-year career with the Blue Jays, Cubs and White Sox. His only career start came as an opener with Toronto in 2019. His best pitch is his cutter, but he also throws a four-seamer, a sinker and a changeup. He was originally a 19th-round selection out of Sam Houston State by the Blue Jays in 2009.