The Angels introduced that they’ve traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the Cubs for money concerns. The Halos had designated him for project final week. The Cubs have designated right-hander Trey Wingenter for project to open a roster spot, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune on X.
Thaiss, 30 in Could, 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 curious about his bat.
As he labored his approach up the minor leagues, he did certainly present that his offense might be an asset. He hit .279/.363/.445 for a 117 wRC+ throughout a number of minor league ranges from 2016 to 2019. Nevertheless, 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 dangerous by backup catcher requirements. The Halos typically had a crowded combine of fellows vying for enjoying time because the designated hitter or the nook spots through the years, equivalent 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 stunning for a man who spent a number of years away from that spot.
Although he’s been a satisfactory backup to Logan O’Hoppe lately, the Angels determined to maneuver on. After Travis d’Arnaud was let go by Atlanta, the Halos rapidly 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 project, which led to at present’s deal.
Extra to return.
