The Angels introduced that they’ve traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the Cubs for money concerns. The Halos had designated him for task final week. The Cubs have designated right-hander Trey Wingenter for task to open a roster spot, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune on X.
Thaiss, 30 in Might, leaves the Angels for the primary time in his skilled profession. He was a first-round decide of that membership in 2016, getting taken sixteenth total. He was a catcher in faculty however the Angels introduced him as a nook infielder once they drafted him, clearly extra fascinated about his bat.
As he labored his approach up the minor leagues, he did certainly present that his offense may very well be an asset. He hit .279/.363/.445 for a 117 wRC+ throughout a number of minor league ranges from 2016 to 2019. Nonetheless, his main league work hasn’t been almost as spectacular. At this level, he has 771 massive league plate appearances with a .208/.313/.342 line and 83 wRC+.
That manufacturing can be unacceptable for a nook infielder however not unhealthy by backup catcher requirements. The Halos usually had a crowded combine of fellows vying for taking part in time because the designated hitter or the nook spots over time, corresponding to Shohei Ohtani, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, Jared Walsh and others. That prompted them to maneuver Thaiss again behind the plate in 2021. Most metrics view Thaiss as a subpar defender again there, maybe not shocking for a man who spent a number of years away from that spot.
Although he’s been a satisfactory backup to Logan O’Hoppe in recent times, the Angels determined to maneuver on. After Travis d’Arnaud was let go by Atlanta, the Halos shortly swooped in and signed him to a two-year deal. That nudged Thaiss right down to #3 on the catching chart. Since he’s out of choices, they designated him for task, which led to as we speak’s deal.
For the Cubs, he’s a smart touchdown spot for now, as they’ve query marks behind the plate. They launched Yan Gomes in June, Tomás Nido in August after which outrighted Christian Bethancourt in November. Previous to buying Thaiss, Miguel Amaya was the one catcher on their 40-man roster. It was reported again in August that they might be searching for catching assist this winter.
Amaya carried out nicely down the stretch for the Cubs however was subpar for the season total. He’s out of choices and never far faraway from being a high prospect, so he most likely has a good grip on a roster spot, however he’s removed from established as a giant leaguer. He has 170 main league video games underneath his belt with a .227/.300/.357 batting line and 87 wRC+.
Maybe the Cubs envision a platoon association, since Amaya hits from the proper aspect and Thaiss from the left, although Amaya has reverse splits in his brief profession to this point. It’s additionally attainable that the Cubs will signal a extra established catcher and attempt to go Thaiss by means of waivers later within the offseason. Danny Jansen, Kyle Higashioka and Carson Kelly are simply a few of the many backstops accessible in free company.
Maybe Moisés Ballesteros might be an element as nicely, as he’s thought of one of many high 100 prospects within the recreation and has reached Triple-A. Nonetheless, he has solely 68 video games at that degree and remains to be simply 21 years previous, so holding him on the farm somewhat longer can also be attainable.
Time will inform if the Cubs proceed addressing their catching combine all through the winter, however for now, they’ve taken a flier on a smart stopgap. For what was certainly a small amount of cash in baseball phrases, they’ve added an skilled catcher with an intriguing previous pedigree, with out doing something to dam the opportunity of different strikes down the street.
Wingenter, 31, was simply claimed off waivers in August and made 5 appearances for the Cubs late within the 2024 season. They might have retained him for subsequent season by way of arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a $1.4MM wage subsequent 12 months. It appears they didn’t plan on doing that, so that they have despatched him into DFA limbo as we speak. They may have a couple of days to see if there’s any commerce curiosity, however he may find yourself again on waivers or non-tendered later this week. In his 95 1/3 main league innings, he has a 5.66 earned run common, 30.5% strikeout charge and 12% stroll charge.
