LA Angels Free Agency Breakdown: Catchers

The 2018 LA Angels saw a handful of catchers play for them. While each had their lowlights and highlights, it could be a position of real need for the Halos this offseason.

The LA Angels had a certain type of catcher while Mike Scioscia was managing. The former manager and LA Dodgers catcher preferred his mold of catchers. He played the position with defensive expertise and had phenomenal knowledge of how to handle his pitchers.

He expected the same of the catchers playing for him in Anaheim. Defense and calling a game were far more important to Scioscia than an offensive-minded catcher. However, with a new manager coming into town, maybe a change in mindset is on the way.

It is also worth noting that general manager Billy Eppler was similar to Mike Scioscia in terms of mindset towards the catching position. Eppler in general values solid defensive players, and that should not change when the Angels search for catching help this offseason.

It would be smart for the Angels to continue to value defense over offense from their catchers. With names like Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton, and Andrelton Simmons in the lineup, a catcher who knows his pitchers and is solid defensively will be of much more value to the Halos than a more offensive-minded one.

As we did with the outfield free agent breakdown, we’ll evaluate one big name free agent, one depth piece, and one wild card option as well.