The Los Angeles Angels have taken steps to reinforce their depth behind the plate by signing veteran catcher. The move comes at a critical time for the organization, as injuries have significantly weakened the club’s catching situation at the major league level.
According to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors , Wynns agreed to a minor league pact with the AL West franchise shortly after parting ways with the Athletics organization.
Wynns’ departure from the Athletics followed a somewhat complicated transaction process. The veteran backstop was designated for assignment roughly a week earlier, and after clearing waivers, the expectation was that he would be outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas. However, because Wynns has accumulated more than five years of major league service time, he had the right to reject the assignment and elect free agency instead.
“After Wynns cleared waivers, the A’s announced that he’d been released, though I’m told Wynns actually rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas and instead elected free agency, as is his right as a player with five-plus years of major league service,” Adams reported.
Now 35 years old, Wynns has carved out a reputation as a defense-first catcher during his major league career. Since debuting with the Baltimore Orioles in 2018, he has primarily served as a backup option valued for his game-calling, defensive reliability, and experience handling pitching staffs. Despite spending several seasons in the majors, he has never appeared in more than 65 games in a single campaign.
Offensively, Wynns has struggled to produce consistently at the plate. During his time with the Athletics over nearly a full calendar year, he posted a .167 batting average with a .204 on-base percentage and a .304 slugging percentage, while hitting three home runs. Though his offensive numbers leave much to be desired, the Angels are likely prioritizing his veteran presence and defensive stability given their current roster situation.
The Angels’ need for catching depth has become increasingly urgent due to injuries to both of their primary major league catchers. Starting catcher Logan O’Hoppe is expected to miss significant time after suffering a broken wrist, a major blow to the club considering his importance to both the lineup and pitching staff. Meanwhile, veteran backup Travis d’Arnaud was placed on the injured list last week because of plantar fasciitis, further thinning the team’s options behind the plate.
Given those circumstances, the addition of Wynns provides the Angels with an experienced insurance option who could potentially contribute at the major league level if needed. While he may not offer much offensive upside, his familiarity with the demands of the position and ability to step into a reserve role make him a practical addition for a team currently scrambling for healthy catching depth.
