As the Angels head toward the first workout of spring training on Feb. 15, we are giving a breakdown of how they stand with their roster. Players acquired this winter include the method of their acquisition in parentheses.
2016 RECAP
Carlos Perez was a revelation in 2015, but his stock dropped in 2016. He started the season as the everyday catcher, but lost his job briefly to Geovany Soto, and then when Soto got hurt Jett Bandy took over. Perez was even demoted to Triple-A to get straightened out.
HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW
The Angels acquired Martin Maldonado (trade from Brewers) in a deal for Bandy. Although officially Maldonado and Perez will compete for the starting job, it’s likely that Maldonado goes into spring as the No. 1 catcher. The Angels believe Maldonado is elite defensively, in everything from pitch framing to blocking to throwing to handling pitchers. And offensively, they see progress, as his on-base percentage rose to a very respectable .332 last year. As for Perez, he still figures to play plenty, even if he’s officially the backup. It’s unlikely either catcher will start more than 110 games.
THE NEXT LAYER
In the short term, the Angels have Tony Sanchez as an intriguing option at Triple-A. Sanchez was the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, but his career never lived up to the potential. The Angels got him on a minor league deal. They also brought back career-minor leaguer Juan Graterol. They designated him for assignment twice – and two other teams’ DFA’d him in between – but in the end the Angels kept him, on a minor league deal. The catcher of the future, though, should be Taylor Ward, the Angels’ first-round pick in 2015. He had a rough season at Class-A in 2016 after an impressive debut the year before. This season, which should see him at Double-A, will be a critical one for him to show if he can make the strides to be a major league everyday catcher.
MOVE THEY COULD MAKE
Angels fans have been clamoring for Matt Wieters, who remains unsigned. Wieters is a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, but his market seems to have shrunk, most likely because his offense has consistently declined in the last two years, after he had elbow surgery. Until Wieters signs, there will be speculation the Angels might get him. If they do, it will likely be on a one-year, discount contract, as Wieters tries to rebuild his value.
Contact the writer: jlfletcher@scng.com
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