ANAHEIM — The Angels made their first major addition to the bullpen this offseason on Monday, signing veteran left-hander Aaron Loup to a two-year deal worth $17 million. Loup will earn $7.5 million in both 2022 and ’23, with a club option for ’24 worth $7.5 million or a $2 million buyout.
Loup, who turns 34 on Dec. 19, is coming off a career year with the Mets, posting a 0.95 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings. It was the best ERA by any reliever with at least 50 innings in 2021. He also held opposing batters to a .192 average that ranked third among all National League southpaws. Left-handed hitters managed just two extra-base hits against him all season.
Loup is the second addition to the pitching staff this offseason, as the Angels also signed right-hander Noah Syndergaard to a one-year deal worth $21 million. Loup and Syndergaard were teammates on the Mets last season, although Syndergaard was coming off Tommy John surgery and was limited to just two innings.
Loup has a career 3.05 ERA with 383 strikeouts in 407 2/3 innings with the Blue Jays, Phillies, Padres, Rays and Mets. Lefties have hit .224/.291/.306 against him in his career, while right-handers have batted .258/.327/.403. Loup mostly relies on his sinker and cutter but also possesses a changeup and a curveball. He limits hard contact and gave up just one home run last year. He’s never allowed more than six homers in a season.
Fellow left-hander Hector Yan was designated for assignment to make room for Loup on the 40-man roster. Yan, 22, is a former top prospect but struggled in 2021, posting a 5.25 ERA in 82 1/3 innings at High-A Tri-City with a velocity decrease. When a player is DFA’d, they are removed from the 40-man roster and within seven days of the transaction, the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable waivers.
