The Los Angeles Angels were looking for relief pitching at the Winter Meetings, and on Wednesday it looks like they have found it. The Angels have agreed in principle to a one-year deal with relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Terms are not yet known.
Hawkins, who turns 39 four days before Christmas, was 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 52 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011. The right-hander struck out 28 batters in 48 innings last season. The Angels will be his ninth team in 18 big league seasons, and ninth in a 10-year span.
Hawkins made $4 million in the final year of a two-year, $7.5 million deal signed with Milwaukee before the 2010 season.
The Angels were looking to upgrade a bullpen that will feature closer Jordan Walden and setup man Scott Downs at the back end. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reported the Angels inquired about Ramon Ramirez of the San Francisco Giants, but Ramirez was traded earlier Wednesday to the New York Mets.
Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto told reporters on Wednesday he preferred acquiring a setup man to a closer because "it’s awfully hard to upgrade from [a] guy who throws 100 mph," referring to Walden, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
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