Report: Angels agree to 1-year, $1.65M deal with Cimber

The Los Angeles Angels are adding another veteran arm to their bullpen, agreeing to a one-year, $1.65-million contract with free-agent right-hander Adam Cimber, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Completion of the agreement is pending a physical, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Cimber, 33, was non-tendered by the Toronto Blue Jays last month after a dismal 2023 campaign that was derailed by injuries. He posted a career-worst 7.40 ERA in just 22 appearances before suffering a season-ending shoulder impingement in June.

Last year's effort was a stark contrast to his first five big-league seasons, however. From 2018-22, Cimber put up a 3.20 ERA, 3.56 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP with 213 strikeouts over 301 appearances with four teams. His best season came in 2021 when he posted a career-best 2.26 ERA and 194 ERA+ in 71.2 innings split between the Marlins and Blue Jays. He's made at least 68 appearances in three seasons, including a league-leading 77 in 2022.

Cimber's never posted high strikeout numbers and won't light up the radar gun. His effectiveness as a reliever comes thanks to a unique submarine delivery that's helped him limit hard contact. In 299.1 big-league innings, he's allowed only 26 home runs and no more than six in a single season.

Assuming he's healthy, the submarining righty should slot in as a versatile middle relief option for new Angels manager Ron Washington. He's the second new addition to the Halos' bullpen in as many days, following their reported signing of Luis García.

Los Angeles' bullpen was one of the worst in baseball last season, ranking 27th out of 30 teams in total production and 25th in ERA (4.88) while allowing over 1.3 homers per nine innings.