The Angels are set to sign right-hander Jake Faria to a minor-league deal, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). Presumably, he’ll receive an invitation to spring training.
Faria looked like a potential long-term rotation piece with the Rays back in 2017. He broke into the league with 86.2 innings of 3.43 ERA/4.12 FIP ball that season. He couldn’t build upon that success the following year, however. Faria’s strikeout and walk rates each went in the wrong direction and he struggled to a 5.40 ERA in 2018. He was bumped into a bullpen role in a 2019 season split between Tampa Bay and Milwaukee but continued to struggle. The Brewers didn’t bring him back to the majors in 2020, releasing him in September.
Recent struggles notwithstanding, there’s little risk for the Angels in giving the 27-year-old another opportunity. Throughout his MLB career, Faria has generated whiffs at nearly a league average rate. His fastball velocity ticked up from 92.2 MPH in 2018 to 93.7 MPH the following season thanks to his bullpen conversion. Faria could plausibly compete for a job as a starter or as a reliever for a Los Angeles club perennially on the hunt for pitching. There’s not a ton of certainty behind Dylan Bundy, Andrew Heaney and Griffin Canning in the rotation. The Angels also non-tendered five relievers earlier this week, so they’ll surely be on the hunt for bullpen help this winter.
In addition to the Angels, Faria drew the attention of one of his former clubs. The Rays had interest in bringing him back on a minor-league deal. It seems a tougher road to crack the major league pitching staff in Tampa Bay, though, likely factoring into Faria’s decision to instead sign with L.A. The right-hander is also a Southern California native, and he’ll now look to return to the majors with his hometown club.
Well he pitcher, a step in the right direction
Next minors Angel signing Teheran?
This move looks like Eppler 2.0 with this dumpster pickup. But I want to give new GM benefit of the doubt and see how it goes before spring.
Low risk signing worth a look
They’re going to build this team NOT with high priced Bauers but elite RP and developing/trading for young SP. That’s long-term success, just like in ATL.
That is the correct answer. Bauer would get the headlines, but that is 100% of the budget for one SP. The team needs to trade for Snell/Gray/Marquez/Darvish, and then sign a Tanaka/Odorizzi-type.
Likewise, no flyers on Archer or similar reclamation projects. This isn’t the time.
Nice depth signing for the Angels. I don’t see him playing much of a role in their bullpen but it will be nice for them to have him on hand if they need him in a situation. I am interested to see what the angels do this week at the winter meetings. Since they solved the shortstop situation with the Iglesias trade, it will be interesting on how they fix the starting pitching and bullpen. Hopefully guys like Bauer,Tanaka,Odorizzi or Gray,Snell,Musgrove will be guys they pursue this week. Angels have the prospects to make it work. Whatever they do this week I hope it makes them look like contenders. With trout,Rendon, Iglesias, Upton. and Adell in their lineup it looks solid. I could also see them trying to find a catcher. It’s highly unlikely to me that Stassi or Bemboom starts on opening day. I don’t see them being in on McCann, Realmuto, or Molina either. I thought the Jason Castro signing last winter was decent. He became a nice trade piece at the deadline to get them a good reliever in Gerardo Reyes. I say maybe a Alex Avila or Austin Romine. Gary Sanchez should be available and would make a nice addition. Or would they be interested in let’s say Russell Martin. Hasn’t retired yet and could mentor Bemboom. Just an idea. I don’t expect them to make a huge splash this week like they did last year with Rendon but I do expect them to be in on a lot of players.
Not to mention Tyler Flowers, Tony Wolters, Or Wilson Ramos who would make great options. Kurt Suzuki is another one. A lot of good options out there
Mets fan here… you do NOT want Ramos. Bat is ok but not that good and his defense is so bad it actually effects how pitchers throw. As in, they’re afraid to put one in the dirt. Trust me, pass on Ramos. Go with Flowers.
I second the thought, Cosmo. One step ahead of the other catcher in NY who can’t catch it, Gary Sanchez. Sanchez can’t catch them eye level.
I’m hoping for Casili behind the plate. A really nice bat.
And very underrated.
Heaven, that’s a good call.
I’d like to see the Angels convert Taylor Ward back into a catcher as he was drafted as a catcher that would solve that problem
Redsfan – I agree. However I wouldn’t consider Adell as a piece in the line-up. He barely touched Triple A and it showed in the majors this season. He is not ready. Also, Upton has not proved to be worth the paper his contract is written on. so I wouldn’t be surprised if we grab a couple of outfielders along with pitching, with the latter being the priority.
Just another option. As we have seen probably since 2015, the angels need as many options as possible. Injuries are a virus in Anaheim.
This one is definitely a good option.
This is confirmation bias. Pitching injuries are no more common with the angels than any other club. Look it up.
Agree. Possibly a function of strength and conditioning practices/coaches, and development, but otherwise, they just had many injury prone players.
Nice batting practice pitcher.angels on a roll
Solid debut just a few years ago.
Threw a lot of sliders when he first came up, but has practically abandoned that pitch since. Now he’s a fastball/splitter guy, but with less success.
If healthy, maybe a guy like Mickey Callaway can help him.
Who knows? Certainly worth the gamble.
Thank you for the scouting report. I didn’t know. This is the kind of signing that could be worth something if someone can fix him. Surprised Pittsburgh did come calling.
Are we sure the Dodgers aren’t his hometown club rather than the Angels, Anthony? Could we get you to display a map, pinpointing where he grew up in relation to how close he was to both ballparks? Or an interview where he mentions the Angels? Thanks in advance, buddy! I’ll check back later for your update.
Check his Twitter account. He literally lists Anaheim as his hometown.
Ha yeah, his Twitter bio is actually what caused me to add that to the article. I’m from the Northeast and had never heard of La Palma (his birthplace on B-Ref) but figured Faria listing Anaheim as his hometown might be relevant to his signing with the Angels.
Dont feed the trolls my dude
Nice Franco – Actual facts to support what you write. A very rare occurrence in the media today.
Chill out, take out your SoCal anger out on your elected officials, not a writer for MLB trade rumors.
Everyone talks a mess, but California bails out all these net federal negative red state mouth-breathers. We are the embodiment of capitalism over here and eat what we kill, all these no commerce having “hand-out states” are dragging us hard workers down because they dont produce enough value for the country to make their own ends meet. They’re quite literally the only socialists.
What’s the debt of California every year. I’m so glad I got out of California. It’s the best decision I ever made.
All good points, but it ain’t a tie. California’s energy crisis is a federal made crisis that involves the newish civil liability the power cos now have for forest fires. The system will right itnsef eventually.
Me too halo11. Thousands more leave every month. It’s my home state but it is unlivable. The good weather can only take you so far when you’re trying to raise a morally sound family.
A quick Google search finds this article:
tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/how-the-big-a-he…
Superstar- Relax dude. The article simply said he’s from SoCal. He went to high school in Cerritos. Which about the midpoint between Angel Stadium and Dodger Stadium. So flip a coin.
If I’m Minasian I’m watching film with Callaway trying to find guys he thinks are a tweak or so away from success.
Decent depth signing here on the surface. Hopefully something more.
that will be great. but we need sime pitchers that will hold their place right from the start of the season.
For sure. We need them all.
I’m a big fan of Callaway, though, and I’d value his input if I was GM.
Did the Triftpons buy the Angels?
Your Los Angeles fans love anything,so desperate.
His numbers continue to go the wrong way.
This guy is worse than what you had.
“A good option”,lol.
“A gamble”
You’re killing me.
hurting from macrocephaly?
While his numbers are going the wrong way, for the number of doritos locos tacos he commanded with a minor league contract, it is a good gamble. Worst case scenario, he gets released. This is not the move that will make the Angels a playoff team, but it in no way, shape, or form makes them worse…
@doritos
Agreed
And any signing that does not make you worse can only make you better 🙂
Or at least add depth.
He has not pitched well the last few seasons but on a minor league deal the risk is low with upside.
Can he pitch? Oh wait…
The Angels need two bullpen arms they can count on. Not a handful of hopefuls they spend a couple months figuring out which ones can actually get outs. They have made this same mistake for the last half dozen years.
They need two go two guys day one. They are nowhere near good enough to throw away several wins in March/April and May determining which guys they can trust.
Hope he can regain success, always liked him. Good dude, too.
It’s interesting how much success he had in the minors, I mean he really dominated a few seasons, and then seemed to take a massive step(s) back after his rookie season… he’s still young enough though that he could rediscover his prior form and this could wind up being a massive steal for the Angels. Obviously a lot of “ifs” here BUT he’s clearly shown very impressive skills/results in the past in the minors — and his rookie season in the Majors. Nice low risk signing by the Angels, really big potential upside with virtually no risk associated. Kind of surprised he didn’t have any ML offers from another team given the potential he’s shown in the past.
Forget Ruth!! This guy is the KEY missing piece to the upcoming Wheeler acquisition.
Same song second verse. New GM some things never change.
It seems like the Angels go into every winter with the same shopping list: Starting Pitching, Relief Pitching, Catcher.
Little cost on a make-good contract. Every team needs some depth. Not clogging up their 40 man roster, but could be called upon if needed. Still young. Worth the ink.
Could give the Angels a nice back of the rotation/long relief option. Had bright spots in Tampa. They still need an ace though no doubt.
New GM is making the right moves. Now sign Bauer and trade for Blake Snell and things start to look really good for a Trout playoff appearance