Angels to add Jays' Speier to already deep bullpen

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Speier

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Reliever Justin Speier agreed to terms of a four-year contract Sunday with the Los Angeles Angels, who will become his seventh major league club.

The deal, worth about $18 million, is contingent on the 33-year-old free agent passing a physical.

The right-handed Speier went 2-0 with a 2.98 ERA in 58 appearances for Toronto last season, mostly in a set-up role. He struck out 55 and walked 21 in 51 1/3 innings and held opposing batters to a .235 average in what was his second season for the Blue Jays.

His career record is 27-20, with 17 saves and a 4.02 ERA in 459 games. Selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 55th round of the free agent draft in 1995, Speier pitched for the Cubs, Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies before joining the Blue Jays.

He spent time on the disabled list in 2004 and 2006 with a strained right forearm. Speier will join a bullpen that already ranks among the AL's strongest.

Speier's father, Chris, was an infielder in the majors from 1971-1989.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

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