Hunter Strickland DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Texas Rangers announced on Wednesday that they agreed to terms with free-agent right-hander Hunter Strickland on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The 36-year-old veteran reliever went 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA, one save and 12 holds in 73 1/3 innings with the Los Angeles Angels last year in a team-leading 72 appearances, which ranked tied for seventh in the American League. He's a 10-year MLB veteran with a career 25-23 record, 29 saves, a 3.40 ERA and 408 strikeouts in 448 innings pitched with eight different teams. Strickland spent the first five seasons of his career with manager Bruce Bochy on the San Francisco Giants, so he has some history with the Rangers' skipper. Because of how late he's signing this spring, Strickland probably won't be in the Opening Day bullpen, but it doesn't mean he won't play a key setup role in Texas' bullpen eventually.

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Hunter Strickland blew his second save of the season of Thursday versus the Colorado Rockies. With Luis Garcia and Carlos Estevez being dealt earlier in the week, manager Ron Washington turned to Strickland in the ninth inning of Thursday's contest. The veteran struggled by opening the inning with a walk to Ryan McMahon, before recording two outs and allowing a two-run homer to Jake Cave to tie the game. Strickland on the season has a 3.35 ERA, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ben Joyce and his 103+ MPH heater get an opportunity the next time there is a save situation. Joyce is intriguing, but the Angels victories are few and far between, making the closer situation messy. Unless managers are desperate, this is a situation to avoid for now.

The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran reliever Hunter Strickland to a minor-league deal, the team announced. Strickland, 35, hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022 but will be invited to Spring Training with the Halos. He owns respectable numbers throughout his career, including a 3.93 xFIP, 8.43 K/9, 3.44 BB/9, and 0.94 HR/9. Even if he makes the Opening Day roster, Strickland isn't on the fantasy radar.