Angels Trade Jeff Mathis to Blue Jays for Brad Mills

The Los Angeles Angels traded catcher Jeff Mathis to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed pitcher Brad Mills.

Last week, the Angels acquired catcher Chris Iannetta from the Colorado Rockies for young starter Tyler Chatwood.  The addition of Iannetta made Mathis expendable.

Mathis has always played the role of a defensive-minded backup catcher for the Angels.  Mathis has also always carried a wet noodle to the plate, as the 28-year-old has only hit at a career OPS of .557 and has a career batting average (.194) south of the Mendoza Line.

In Mathis, the Blue Jays receive the backup catcher they have been seeking since Jose Molina signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Mathis provides Toronto a veteran backstop to starter J.P. Arencibia that brings solid defense and game-calling skills to the table.

While he surely would like to be a starter, Mathis understands that his defense and ability to handle a starting staff are large parts of his game.

In return for Mathis, the Angels received left-hander Brad Mills.  The 26-year-old spent most of his time with the Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate in 2011, logging 157 1/3 innings over his 24 starts.  During that time, Mills maintained an ERA of 4.00 to go along with his WHIP of 1.271.

Mills’ numbers were far less impressive at the major league level, where he made five appearances spanning 18 1/3 innings.  Mills was rocked to the tune of a 9.82 ERA and 1.909 WHIP with the Blue Jays in 2011.

Over his five seasons in the Minors, Mills has held an ERA of 3.57, a WHIP of 1.282, a SO/9 of 8.5 and a BB/9 of 3.  Mills career numbers over his 14 major league appearances are 8.57 ERA, 1.821 WHIP, 8.4 SO/9, 5.8 BB/9.

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