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Angels Sign Matt Moore

February 16, 2023

Yesterday Angels GM Perry Minasian said he wasn’t done improving the ball club. Today he signed lefty reliever Matt Moore to bolster the bullpen.

Free-agent left-handed reliever Matt Moore closing in on deal with Angels, a source tells @TheAthletic. Moore, 33, posted a 1.95 ERA and held opponents to a .564 OPS in 74 innings with the Rangers last season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 16, 2023

Moore is coming off an incredible season with Texas and credits a new curveball as a major reason why.

Matt Moore credited a new curveball in 2022 as a key to his success.

L: 2022
R: 2021

“The pitch then “bites” down instead of — as Moore puts it — “tumbling” like the old curveball.”https://t.co/z1AC0wz7Lb pic.twitter.com/jsIiTbDC5n
— Beyond The Halo (@BeyondTheHalo) February 16, 2023

If he can be even close to his 2022 self this is a solid pickup for a unit that looked a little weak as camp opened.

No financial terms yet.

Stay tuned to CtPG for updates on this signing and any other player transactions.

Update: It is a straight 1 year $7.55 million deal with no options.

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Cowboy26

1 month ago

So the Angels sign a journey man mid 30’s pitcher named Moore that had moved to bullpen and has success as a closer after learning a special new pitch?

Where have I heard this story before?

Hopefully it has a better ending.

Legend

Fansince1971

1 month ago

Reply to Cowboy26

Ha! Classic.

I’d add this guy also had one good year going into this FA year after many seasons of mediocrity. That sounds familiar too!

It’s called bargain hunting. You take a risk on a ‘new pitch’ and convince yourself the year prior is actually who he is – not the previous 5 seasons. That’s how you get a guy for a relatively reasonable price on a 1 year deal following a very good season. We will see.

Last edited 1 month ago by Fansince1971

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DowningDude

1 month ago

Moore Door Matt

Trusted Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Multiple articles similarly titled, “Ohtani addresses free agency” actually, when you read the article(s) he actually does not address free agency. He says the same thing that Mike Trout and any other intelligent possible FAs say, “Right now I am an <insert team name> and that is my focus.”

So much clickbait, so much time to waste at work….

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

Why won’t that asshole be more transparent with us and the media? Like Corbin Burnes.

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VladimirTrout27

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

It appears the media is manufacturing fabrications. hmmmm. With a guy like Ohtani people stirring the pot, just ain’t right

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Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Cole Hamels off the board-Kinda hoped we’d take a highly weighted performance incentive flier contract on him, but….

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

The sense was he was only gonna sign with SD if all contracts were similar since he’s from there/lives there.

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2GA2Join

1 month ago

So so many articles and postings in the media about “where will Ohtani land”. Of course I can’t blame them, it is exciting to talk about.
And I really can’t argue with the people who doubt he will return to the Angels.
And I really can’t argue with the notion that perhaps we should not sign him.

But at the same time, I would really get a good laugh if we extended Ohtani and shut down all these rumors all of the sudden, kind of like a few years ago when everyone was predicting where Trout would move to.

Last edited 1 month ago by 2GA2Join

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Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to 2GA2Join

I’m getting so tired of these dart board prognosticators-You know, keep guessing and someone will end up correct. The Padres, Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox are all GUARANTEED to sign Ohtani as a FA for 2024 and beyond. How is he going to play for four or more teams at once?

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to 2GA2Join

But what does Mike Moore think about Shohei and his mom?

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Mia

1 month ago

Cool! Maybe!

Please don’t be Loup 2.0

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Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to Mia

Loup wasn’t as bad as posters on here ride him for.

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Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

Loup got off to a bad start. That never helps. But he was never good.

I’d say this signing plus Torres being in camp = Loup is on notice that he needs to perform or he’ll be cut.

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2GA2Join

1 month ago

I have been quietly hoping in the back of my mind for weeks, that there was waiting going on until the Arb cases were settled, and now Perry will include Rengifo in a package to acquire a SS.

Member

jefeRey14x

1 month ago

Seeing stuff about Padres and a six man rotation. Long game ploy to entice Mr. Ohtani? Probably more convincing to say “we’ve already done it” than “we’re willing to try it.” Mets and Pads going all in on our boy going to bid that up like crazy.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to jefeRey14x

More power to them. Can we PLEASE take 1/10 of the money they will pay Ohtani next year and put it into scouting and player development?

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

I thought the new improved version of benevolent Uncle Arte is now spending gobs more on PD than a mere $50 million

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to Cowboy26

He appears to be spending more. I want moar gobs though.

Member

jefeRey14x

1 month ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

It would be nice to have a top-ten Operations payroll to match our perennial top-ten player payroll.

Super Member

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to jefeRey14x

Was the six-man rotation a thing driven by Ohtani’s camp? I think it was Joe Perry, not from Aerosmith.

Member

jefeRey14x

1 month ago

Reply to FungoAle

I don’t remember reading a direct request from Ohtani/his camp, or whether it was an Angels org. decision. It could cause some difficulty signing pitchers when they and their agents want a particular number of innings so they can demand a particular value. It might be more trouble than it’s worth keeping unicorns.

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Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to FungoAle

Didn’t the Beatles have a 6-man rotation? Former drummer then Billy Preston?

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Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

Pete was the Best!

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red floyd

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

Just remember, we had Paul MacAnulty, and could have tried to sign John Lannon to go with him.

Admin

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Jessica DeLine

1 month ago

Reply to jefeRey14x

Hope he says with a non flashy West Coast team. AKA, Angels or Padres!

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FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to Jessica DeLine

Shohei could save San Francisco from themselves and prop up the real estate market

Member

jefeRey14x

1 month ago

Reply to Jessica DeLine

Pew research does have San Diego #7 in the top ten metropolitan areas by Japanese population.

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ryanfea

1 month ago

Davis Daniel placed on the 60 day IL to make room on roster per Jeff Fletcher

Super Member

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to ryanfea

Damn, cannot flick off Tucker Davidson from my finger

Newbie

OcsportsgeekNowInAz

1 month ago

It seemed under the radar but I wonder how much the Bill Hezel pickup for the coaching staff (formerly Director of Pitching for Driveline, where big names train focusing on metrics and advanced analytics: Kershaw, Bauer, Ohtani, Betts, etc.) will help the whole staff take the next step.

Something I’m keen on watching this season.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to OcsportsgeekNowInAz

LIES. We didn’t hire that guy. Arte is too cheap. Perry is too stupid and is not a real baseball mans.

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max

1 month ago

Reply to OcsportsgeekNowInAz

Ya think we are out on Doug White then?

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2002heaven

1 month ago

&w=350&h=254
😥 😥 😠 😠

Last edited 1 month ago by 2002heaven

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gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to 2002heaven

👠 🍆 🏖

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ryanfea

1 month ago

A lefty that is not a lefty specialist. His splits suggest he’s actually a bit better against righties. Hopefully he can repeat his curveball from last season. Needed depth in the bullpen so can’t fault the attempt here.

Angels also watched Zach Britton’s workout yesterday. Think they’ve used that scouting to choose Moore over him.

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to ryanfea

He chewed through a lot of innings last year. It was also his first year with an ERA+ over 100 since 2014. But yeah, if that curve stays good it could be great having a guy they “always” bring in, like Loup last year, who doesn’t suck. If he throws a solid inning or two in 50+ games for us this year then this is a great pick up.

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WallyChuckChili

1 month ago

1yr $7.5m???

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FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to WallyChuckChili

yikes

Super Member

Twebur

1 month ago

We are used to this, perfectly natural …Mooooore walks.

the Halos are almost certainly hoping they can find a way to help their new reliever limit his walks. Moore’s walk rate of 12.5% was third worst in the majors among all pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched
Moore’s penchant for allowing free passes puts more pressure on the rest of his skills to hold up at their current top-tier levels if he’s going to remain among the best relievers in the game, as he was in 2022.

Super Member

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

His walk rates have always been high, not a good omen. See Cishek, Claudio, Quijada…and other Perry nuggets. Like Loup and Tyler Anderson, Perry reached for a pitcher coming off a season that has been never replicated within the past 5 years (or ever) of his previous stat lines.

Maybe Moore will be the 6th starter? If we shed Tucker to make room for Moore, I’m on board.

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to FungoAle

See Dylan Cease

Legend

gitchogritchoffmypettis

1 month ago

Reply to FungoAle

“Never replicated!”

Super Member

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to gitchogritchoffmypettis

NEV-AH

Super Member

MarineLayer

1 month ago

This addresses a roster weakness in a significant way. The last gaping hole is SS, followed by hoping the sixth starter slot being successfully filled by one of the many candidates.

Trusted Member

AnAngelsFan

1 month ago

This guy got 12 K’s and held the Angels to 1 run over 9 innings (7 games) last year, so he makes the team better just by not pitching against them.

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to AnAngelsFan

Until the guy that replaces him on Texas no hits us .

Legend

Fansince1971

1 month ago

I was hoping for a bit Moore but I’m Moore or less happy with this move.

I hope he comes out of the bullpen to The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult!*

* Moore cowbell

Last edited 1 month ago by Fansince1971

Legend

Fansince1971

1 month ago

Reply to Fansince1971

I’ll add that I hope he pitches Moore like 2022 and nothing like the 5 years prior.

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Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to Fansince1971

I’m always intrigued by a guy who develops an elite pitch.

Hitters will adjust. Will it remain elite after they do?

Super Member

Twebur

1 month ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Money and length of contract will be interesting…..he might turn out to be that wild card that every team needs.

No matter who we signed to round out the pitching staff, the offense needs to be great, needs to be healthy for us to win 85-90 games.

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Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

Yeah. Hopefully this means a fewer blown leads early in the year.

With Eric Torres in the wings this puts Loup and Quijada on notice.

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AnAngelsFan

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

MLBTR reports one-year, but no $$$ info.

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VladimirTrout27

1 month ago

Reply to AnAngelsFan

Heyman said 1yr, $7.5M. All Star last year so reasonable deal. I still think they need another reliable arm and trade one of the guys from last year, possibly Quijada.

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red floyd

1 month ago

Reply to Fansince1971

How about this for his walk-on…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWPZKZ06UZs