BREAKING: Angels sign former Phillies reliever that was traded to Dodgers last season
The Angels are taking an indirect approach to improving their bullpen this offseason, focusing on signing experienced players to minor league deals. The latest example is right-handed pitcher Connor Brogdon, according to Taylor Blake Ward of Baseball America. While it hasn’t been confirmed, Brogdon is likely to receive an invite to big league spring training.
Angels GM Perry Minasian has yet to solidify the major league bullpen roster for the upcoming season but is actively adding depth pieces that are expected to contribute during the 2025 campaign.
Brogdon marks the third former Dodgers reliever Minasian has added this offseason, joining left-handers Victor González and Garrett McDaniels. Earlier in December, Minasian signed right-hander Dakota Hudson, previously with the Cardinals and Rockies, in a similar move. Continuing a noticeable trend, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Brogdon, like Travis d’Arnaud, Kevin Newman, and Kyle Hendricks, is a California native.
Connor Brogdon might have lost a step, but is certainly worth a look
The Dodgers, always active in roster management, needed to free up a 40-man roster spot ahead of the Rule-5 Draft during the winter meetings. Connor Brogdon became the odd man out due to his limited availability in 2024. The Angels capitalized, acquiring him on the cheap after a season in which he managed only 3.0 MLB innings and 14 minor league innings between the Phillies and Dodgers, hampered by the persistent issue of plantar fasciitis.
Brogdon’s velocity has declined from the mid-90s to the lower-90s, and he now mixes in a low-80s changeup and a cutter with limited bite. His four-seam fastball, once a key weapon, seems to have lost its effectiveness as its velocity dropped, often morphing into an inefficient two-seamer. In 2023, he leaned heavily on his changeup while with the Phillies, where he had previously been a reliable bullpen arm with sub-4 FIPs and sub-1.3 WHIPs in 2021 and 2022. While he performed decently at AAA Oklahoma City in 2024, Brogdon is expected to start 2025 at the hitter-friendly AAA Salt Lake.
The Angels’ decision to take a chance on Brogdon aligns with their strategy of adding depth through low-risk moves. The Dodgers have been particularly adept at signing and rehabilitating players like him, so mimicking that approach is logical. Brogdon, once a reliable back-end bullpen option, will now aim to reinvent himself with the Angels, potentially leaning more on his cutter.
Although the Angels are likely to pursue more impactful relievers on the free-agent market, Brogdon adds depth to their pitching options. As the team navigates the inevitable challenges of the 2025 season, Brogdon and other depth pieces will be waiting in the wings to step in when needed.