PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – An ineffective middle reliever who played in 18 games with the Pirates last season agreed with the Angels for $33 million dollars.
Right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson agrees to a three-year deal with a guaranteed $33 million with an option for 2027. The 31-year-old was traded by the Pirates after a 5.14 ERA in 18 games to Tampa Bay where he came into his own. In 14 innings with the Pirates, he walked eight and gave up eight earned runs. In 42 innings with the Rays, he walked eight and gave up 10 earned runs, a 2.35 ERA, 0.678 WHIP with 60 strikeouts.
A career 4.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP with three saves, 17 wins and 20 losses, Stephenson was considered the best reliever available after Josh Hader signed with the Astros.
The 6’3” California native was the Reds first-round pick in 2011 and claimed off waivers by the Pirates from Colorado in August of 2022. Stephenson made $1.75 million last year between the Bucs and Rays. He will make that in less than two months this season.