Former GM Surprised More Teams Didn't Go After Angels' Robert Stephenson: 'I Think He's Legit'

The Los Angeles Angels made their first significant offseason signing last week, agreeing to a three-year, $33 million deal with top relief pitcher Robert Stephenson. The deal includes a fourth-year option that could be trigged if Stephenson misses a significant amount of time due to injury.

Stephenson is coming off an incredible 2023 season and should be a key piece of the Angels' bullpen for the next few seasons.

This is one of the reasons former general manager and current MLB Network analyst Steve Phillips believes the Halos got themselves a steal in Stephenson. 

“I think he’s legit. I believe that he got fixed in Tampa,” Phillips said. “He had the highest whiff rate on any single pitch for the second half of the season. I think it’s legitimate. I’m surprised playoff contenders didn’t go there… I believe this guy’s putaway pitch is worthy of even being a ninth inning pitcher right now. So I think the Angels got a really good guy.”

^{(per Steve Phillips via MLB Network)}