Garrett Richards who was a 1st round pick by the Angels in 2009, has signed a two-year deal with the San Diego Padres. Richards, deal with the Padres is reportedly worth $15.5 million and can earn up to $2.5 million in incentives. Richards is more than likely not going to pitch for the Padres in the 2019 season, but will pitch for them in 2020 as long as everything goes well in his recovery.
During his time with the Angels, Richards pitched a total of 744.2 innings to a 3.54 ERA starting back in 2011. He pitched to a record of 45-38 with most of his innings coming in as a starter where he started 115 games while coming in as a reliever in 55 games. Garrett became a full time starter in the 2014 season and that year he was a huge reason for why the Angels won the American League West in 2014. His season unfortunately ended early that year after he tore his patellar tendon in his left leg, while covering first base in late August against the Boston Red Sox. That year he started 26 games, with a 13-4 record, a 2.61 ERA in 168.2 innings. He was able to recovery from that injury and pitched 207.1 innings in the 2015 season with a 15-12 record and 3.65 ERA. The 2016 and 2017 seasons were not very long for Richards due to various arm injuries and only started 6 games both seasons. Garrett, started 16 games in the 2018 season and in early July he hit the disabled list and was diagnosed with a torn UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) in his right elbow ending his season. Richards underwent Tommy John surgery in late July and is likely to be out for all of the 2019 season.
All Major League Teams had a deadline to tender contracts to players last Friday at 5 p.m. Pacific time. The Angels made the decision to non-tender Blake Parker and Matt Shoemaker making them both free agents.
Blake Parker, a relief pitcher appeared in 138 games while saving 22 games collectively in 2017 and 2018. Parker, pitched to an ERA of 2.90 in 133.2 innings with a record of 5-4. Parker’s numbers were much better in 2017 compared to 2018. Parker was still one of the better relievers on the Angels and he still got non-tendered. The news of Parker getting non-tendered came as a shock to many in baseball as he was projected to make only $3 million for the 2019 season.
Matt Shoemaker, a starting pitcher for the Angels was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Shoemaker made his MLB debut in 2013 making 1 start that year. Matt broke out in 2014 making 20 starts and pitching in relief for 7 games. He placed 2nd that year in the American League Rookie of the Year (Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox won) pitching to a 16-4 record while throwing 136 innings. Shoemaker constantly battled arm issues following 2014 and even had a season ending injury in 2016 after getting hit in the head by a come backer hit by Kyle Seager of the Seattle Mariners. He was able to make 24 plus starts in 2015 and 2016 but was only able to pitch in 14 games and 7 games in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Collectively he threw 545 innings for the Angels dating back to 2013 with a 40-32 record and a 3.92 ERA. The news of Shoemaker getting non-tendered is not as surprising due to the injures he has had with his right arm and was projected to make around $4.5 million.
Featured Image: Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG
