Los Angeles Angels: Three catching options to solidify the position
The Los Angeles Angels are in the market for a catcher. These three free agents are realistic options to solidify the backstop position.
Are we seeing hints at a new Los Angeles Angels organization? After years of fans begging the club to surround mega-star Mike Trout with talent to make a World Series run, new general manager Perry Minasian just might be on his way to fulfilling that wish.
Despite ultimately signing with the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Angels were very close to signing catcher James McCann last week, reportedly not willing to add a fourth year to a deal, which the Mets did.
But the Angels haven’t been sitting idly by this offseason. They have cornered the market on players with the last name Iglesias, trading with the Baltimore Orioles for defensive-minded shortstop Jose Iglesias to replace Andrelton Simmons, and bringing in much-needed late-inning bullpen help by trading for former Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias.
They also appear to be heavily in the mix for 2020 Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer, who would be a major boost to a starting rotation that’s needed an upgrade for many years.
With Max Stassi and Anthony Bemboom being the only backstops currently on the roster, the Los Angeles Angels are still on the hunt for a catcher after missing out on James McCann. While these options won’t provide the value that McCann would have, the Angels can still upgrade the position by taking a look at these three free agents.
The Los Angeles Angels have already expressed interest in Yadier Molina.
While the Los Angeles Angels could target the top free agent on the market, J.T. Realmuto may be a bit outside of what the Angels want to spend, especially if they are hoping to land Bauer at some point this winter, or at least spend some money on upgrading the starting rotation.
But the next top name on the free agent market in Yadier Molina would be a solid move for the Angels.
Recent reports suggest that the St. Louis Cardinals and Molina appear to be stuck after the Cards made a “ridiculous” offer to the 17-year MLB veteran who has spent his entire career with St. Louis.
Molina has cooled off at the plate over the years, but the 38-year-old is still projected to produce at a league-average offensive level and his defense, while also not as great as it used to be, is still a skill-set many teams across baseball would love to have behind the plate.
Molina is looking for a two-year deal, which would keep him under contract until his age 40 season, but if the Angels are looking to not only upgrade the catching position but bring in an asset who can help improve the pitching staff with game-calling and defensive abilities, investing in Yadier Molina would be worth it.
We also can’t forget about the family ties to the Los Angeles Angels organization. Older brothers Bengie and Jose also played for the Angels, including an overlapping stint on the 2002 World Series team.
As far as catchers are concerned, Yadier Molina should be the top option for the Los Angeles Angels now that James McCann is off the market.
Kurt Suzuki would provide an offensive boost for the Los Angeles Angels.
The market after Yadier Molina is pretty sparse, but there are a few bounce-back candidates or defensive-first options who can help out the Los Angeles Angels pitching staff.
Kurt Suzuki has recently been linked to the Angels and while his defense leaves a lot to be desired, the Angels could be attracted to his offensive production.
Suzuki played in 33 games for the Nationals last season, slashing .270/.349/.396 and an 8.5% walk rate. His 101 wRC+ is well-above the league-average mark for catchers and was the fourth-straight season he’s produced a wRC+ over 100.
As recently as 2019, Suzuki hit 17 home runs in eight games, with 11 doubles and a minuscule 11.7% strikeout rate.
Max Stassi had a breakout offensive year in 2020 (139 wRC+, .886 OPS) but can he keep up that sort of offensive production across a full season? Platooning Stassi and Suzuki together could produce a notable amount of offense from the catching position for the Angels.
And on a moderate one-year deal, Suzuki likely falls within the price range the Angels could be looking to spend as they devote resources allocated for McCann elsewhere now that he’s in New York.
A reunion between Jason Castro and the Los Angeles Angels makes sense.
Where else could the Los Angeles Angels turn to in their pursuit of catching depth? Tyler Flowers is certainly an intriguing option. His offensive numbers have regressed over the last few years but he’s one of the top defensive options on the market.
The Angels could also look at a bounce-back candidate like Robinson Chirinos who has spent much of his career as an above-average hitter in the NL West, but his wRC+ of 26 and -1.0 fWAR in 2020 with the Rangers and Mets is a big red flag.
Wilson Ramos and Austin Romine are two more intriguing options, but a reunion with Jason Castro perhaps makes the most sense.
Castro began 2020 with the Angels, appearing in 18 games and posting a wRC+ of 100 despite a .192 average. But Castro can typically be counted on to produce double-digit home run totals and a walk rate north of 10% across a full season. He’s also a very good defensive option who knows how to handle a pitching staff.
With his defensive abilities and arm behind the plate, Castro seems to make the most sense, along with his familiarity with the organization.
Next. The Los Angeles Angels disappearing 2019 draft class. dark
There aren’t very many high-quality options for the Los Angeles Angels, but there are intriguing options out there who the Angels could turn to as they look for some depth in 2021.