Speier
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Reliever Justin Speier agreed to terms of
a four-year contract Sunday with the Los Angeles Angels, who will
become his seventh major league club.
The deal, worth about $18 million, is contingent on the
33-year-old free agent passing a physical.
The right-handed Speier went 2-0 with a 2.98 ERA in 58
appearances for Toronto last season, mostly in a set-up role. He
struck out 55 and walked 21 in 51 1/3 innings and held opposing
batters to a .235 average in what was his second season for the
Blue Jays.
His career record is 27-20, with 17 saves and a 4.02 ERA in 459
games. Selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 55th round of the free
agent draft in 1995, Speier pitched for the Cubs, Florida Marlins,
Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies before
joining the Blue Jays.
He spent time on the disabled list in 2004 and 2006 with a
strained right forearm. Speier will join a bullpen that already
ranks among the AL's strongest.
Speier's father, Chris, was an infielder in the majors from
1971-1989.