According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have acquired Drew Butera from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a low-profile move that shores up the Angels’ catching depth.
Source: #Angels acquire Drew Butera from #Dodgers. First reported as close by @JimBowden_ESPN.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 9, 2014
In exchange for Butera, the Dodgers will receive either cash considerations or a player to be named later, according to Mike DiGiovanna. Los Angeles recently acquired Ryan Lavarnway, joining the likes of A.J. Ellis and Tim Federowicz as options for Don Mattingly behind the dish in 2015. Last season, Butera, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 draft by the New York Mets, struggled again offensively, batting just .188/.267/.268 across 61 games with the Dodgers.
After the Dodgers acquired Lavarnway, the team designated Butera for assignment. On Tuesday afternoon, reports surfaced indicating the team was close to adding another backstop – which ultimately proved to be Butera.
Known more for his work behind the plate than at the dish, Butera posted a 0.5 dWAR in 2014, throwing out an above-league average 33 percent of would-be base stealers. Butera will now likely be penciled in Chris Iannetta, competing with Carlos Perez for the back-up job for the Angels.