Angels Sign Brett Phillips To 1-Year Contract; Austin Warren Designated For Assignment

The Los Angeles Angels officially announced the signing of outfielder Brett Phillips to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Austin Warren was designated for assignment.

Phillips began the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, but was traded to the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline. He appeared in all three outfield positions, but hit a combined .144/.217/.249 with six doubles, five home runs and 15 RBIs in 83 games.

Phillips had spent parts of the previous three seasons with the Rays and was a member of their 2020 AL Championship team. He most notably threw the walk-off hit in the Rays’ Game 4 World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Before that, Phillips played for the Kansas City Royals (2018-20) and Milwaukee Brewers (2017-18). He was originally selected by the Houston Astros in the sixth round of the 2012 MLB Draft.

Over parts of six big league campaigns, Phillips is slashing .188/.273/.348 with 24 doubles, nine triples, 28 home runs, 93 RBI and 36 stolen bases in 354 games.

Phillips bolsters the Angels’ outfield depth and is likely fourth or fifth on the depth chart. He figures to get the occasional start against right-handed tackles, but most of his value will come on the defensive end.

Phillips is the Angels’ sixth Major League acquisition this offseason. The team previously signed All-Star starter Tyler Anderson, reliever Carlos Estévez and infielder Brandon Drury, while acquiring outfielder Hunter Renfroe and infielder Gio Urshela in exchange.

The Angels have seven days to trade Warren after designating him for assignment. If they are unable to work out a deal, the 26-year-old could either accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake or opt for free agency.

Warren struggled in his limited opportunity at the Major League level last season, posting a 5.63 ERA, 5.36 FIP and 1.50 WHIP over 16 innings of work (14 games).

Warren found success last year, however, going 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA, 2.09 FIP and 1.03 WHIP in 20.1 innings (16 appearances).

Brandon Drury became a die-hard Angels fan as a child

One of the most underrated signings this offseason was the acquisition of Drury on a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

His rookie season in 2022 made him a hot name during last year’s trade deadline, and the San Diego Padres were aggressive in acquiring him with his .855 on-base slugging plus 20 home runs before the trade.

Last year was the culmination of his hard work and dedication to MLB, and having grown up an Angels fan, he recalled fond memories of his family rooting for the team in the early 2000s.