Angels reach agreement for reliever LaTroy Hawkins
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The Angels reached an agreement with free-agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins on a one-year, $3-million deal pending a physical, according to a person familiar with negotiations who was not authorized to speak about them publickly.
Hawkins, who will turn 39 this month, is a veteran right-hander who went 3-1 with a 2.42 earned run average, 28 strikeouts and 10 walks in 48 1/3 innings for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011.
Hawkins, a good friend, neighbor and former Minnesota Twins teammate of Angels right fielder Torii Hunter, has pitched for nine teams in 17 major league seasons, compiling a 63-85 record and 4.48 ERA.
He opened the 2011 season on the disabled list because of shoulder surgery that limited him to 18 games in 2010, but Hawkins quickly regained the velocity of his fastball, which tops out at 95 mph, and helped the Brewers reach the National League championship series.
Hawkins fits the profile of the veteran setup man General Manager Jerry Dipoto said he was seeking, a player who could help mentor rookie closer Jordan Walden and deepen a bullpen that relied too heavily on Walden and left-handed setup man Scott Downs last season.
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--Mike DiGiovanna in Dallas