Angels Re-Sign Chris Iannetta

Who says there can’t be news on the day the playoffs begin? The Angels began shaping their club for 2013 by re-signing a player from 2012. No it’s not who you think it is.

Sept. 23, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher

(17) during the game against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium. Angels won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The Angels re-signed starting catcher Chris Iannetta to a new three year deal worth $15.5 million. Iannetta had a five million dollar mutual option for next year, however the organization decided to tear that up and give him a new contract.

To me, this means that Hank Conger‘s days in the Angels organization are numbered. Whether he’s put in a package to get another starting pitcher which the team may need or for something else, I fully expect him not to be in the organization. Conger could give them a nice trade chip.

Conger had a .295/.347/.473 stat line in the minors this year. He only appeared in seven games in the majors this year hitting .167 in 18 at-bats.

Iannetta missed three months with a fractured wrist. He came back in the second half, hitting .258 with six homers in 53 second half games.

Iannetta was going to be one of the top free agent catchers this off-season and with the dearth of catching in the major leagues, Iannetta might have gotten a bigger deal in the free agent market from another team.

Iannetta helped the pitching staff when he was behind the plate and he’s a pretty good defensive catcher. This is a good move by GM Jerry Dipoto and one that will start a very busy off-season for the Los Angeles Angels.