Ben

Joyce

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal says it’s a one-year, $10 million deal. The Angels were one of the teams that figured to spend for a closer this winter, but they spent most of the offseason with Ben Joyce in position to assume the role. Now it’ll be Jansen continuing his march to 500 saves. He’s currently at 447 after getting 27 for the Red Sox last season. The 37-year-old has posted ERAs in between 3.29 and 3.63 the last three years.

It’s not a huge surprise since Stephenson underwent Tommy John surgery in April of last season, but this is the first confirmation that we’re hearing. The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million contract last offseason after re-inventing himself in Tampa Bay and posting a 2.35 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and 60/8 K/BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings. Stephenson figures to be back in action by the summer and could emerge as a late-inning option if Ben Joyce is unable to hold down the job.

Joyce was placed on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his shoulder, and it seems likely that the 23-year-old will miss the rest of the season even if he’s eligible to return September 22 for the final week. The Angels are still awaiting MRI results on Joyce, but no matter the result it’s hard to see another competitive pitch from the flame-thrower in 2024.

With less than 20 games left in the season, there’s a distinct possibility that Joyce could be out for the remainder of the year. The hard-throwing right-hander didn’t exactly run with the closer job after the Angels cleared out the back end of their bullpen at the trade deadline. He picked up four saves. Joyce had a 2.08 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.

The 105.5-mph offering was the third fastest ever recorded by Statcast, behind a 105.8 and a 105.7 recorded by Aroldis Chapman several years ago. Joyce averaged 103.8 mph with his six fastballs tonight and struck out two of the three batters he faced in a 2-2 contest.

Joyce took over with the Angels leading by a run in the ninth inning and made things a bit more interesting by allowing a leadoff single to Luke Raley. The 23-year-old fire-baller kept his composure though, getting J.P. Crawford to ground into a double play before retiring Josh Rojas on a swinging third strike to end it. Joyce has now notched four saves on the season to go with a pair of victories and a minuscule 2.14 ERA.

Joyce has looked virtually un-hittable since the All-Star break, compiling a microscopic 1.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 14/8 K/BB ratio across 16 1/3 innings (15 appearances). There haven’t been a ton of save chances for the hard-throwing 23-year-old stopper, and the strikeout totals haven’t been astronomical, but he looks like a legitimate closing option for the Angels -- and fantasy managers -- heading into 2025.

Joyce didn’t allow a run while giving up one hit and striking out two. It’s the third save of the season for the right-hander as the Angels continue to use Joyce in high-leverage situations, but not often in the save chances. It’s also worth noting that the Angels are bad and don’t have many save chances. Joyce has a chance to be among the best relievers in baseball someday.

There isn’t much more to add. Contreras promptly gave up home runs to Joey Loperfido and Addison Barger to lose this game. Both were absolutely crushed at 400 feet and 439 feet, respectively. Perhaps this will motivate Ron Washington to install Ben Joyce, who worked a scoreless eighth inning, as his closer once and for all.

Joyce’s save is just the second of the season. The 23-year-old reliever threw 10-of-14 pitches for strikes while allowing one hit and picking up a strikeout. Joyce recently saw his 22 1/3 inning scoreless streak come to an end, but he’s been outstanding in 2024, and he has a chance to be among the best relievers in baseball in the coming seasons.