Los Angeles Angels pull off heist by swiping Toronto Blue Jays pitcher
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Victor William
Jan 26, 2026 (8:48 PM)
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Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Perry Minasian has just secured the most underrated bargain of the offseason by landing reliever former Blue Jays pitcher Nick Sandlin on a zero-risk minor league deal.
While the rest of the league is overpaying for middle relievers, the Angels just grabbed a proven arm with a 2.20 ERA from last season.
The deal includes an invite to Spring Training, but let's be real-Sandlin is making this Opening Day roster.
His stint with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025 was short but incredibly effective, posting elite numbers across 19 appearances.
It is baffling that Ross Atkins let a 29-year-old with a career 3.19 ERA walk away for nothing.
The Angels bullpen desperately needs different looks, and Sandlin's funky sidearm delivery is the perfect chaos factor.
The Angels have signed RH reliever Nick Sandlin to a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
Sandlin, 29, pitched in 19 games with TOR last season, with a 2.20 ERA. Career 3.19 ERA in parts of five MLB seasons.
Sandlin, 29, pitched in 19 games with TOR last season, with a 2.20 ERA. Career 3.19 ERA in parts of five MLB seasons.
Looking at the advanced metrics, Sandlin's success isn't a fluke; he held opposing hitters to a .186 average during his time in Toronto.
His ability to suppress hard contact (only 2 home runs allowed in 16.1 innings) is exactly what plays in Anaheim.
He relies on a deceptive sinker-slider mix that makes right-handed hitters look absolutely foolish.
Coming from the Cleveland pitching factory originally, he knows how to maximize his unique arm slot.
Nick Sandlin is the steal of the winter for Anaheim
The "Halo Honks" should be thrilled to see the front office making smart, low-cost moves that actually raise the team's floor.
Sandlin isn't a guy who throws 100 mph, but his 134 ERA+ proves he prevents runs better than most "stuff" guys.
Toronto's loss is clearly Los Angeles' gain, especially given the Angels' history of bullpen volatility.
If he replicates his 2025 performance, Minasian will look like a genius for pulling this off on a minor league contract.
This is the kind of depth move that separates playoff contenders from pretenders in the long run.
Don't be surprised when Sandlin is pitching high-leverage innings in the AL West this summer.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 26|247 ANSWERS Los Angeles Angels pull off heist by swiping Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Will Nick Sandlin finish the season with a sub-3.50 ERA? | ||
| Yes | 93 | 37.7 % |
| No | 154 | 62.3 % |
| List of polls | ||