LA Angels Free Agency Breakdown: Catchers

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May 1991: Catcher Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Dodgers in action during a game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

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.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 01: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after his strikeout in front of of Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 1, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The Big Name

For years now LA has had a catcher who is phenomenal on offense and has made strides into being a solid defensive player as well. The only problem for the Angels is that this catcher is on the Dodgers.

Yasmani Grandal could be the best catcher on the market this winter. He’ll have plenty of suitors from contenders looking to shore up their catcher position, and could demand big money. However, the Dodgers may be willing to let him walk as Austin Barnes is solid at the big league level and their #2 prospect Keibert Ruiz could be debuting in 2019. With so many other stars, and their aspirations for a big name such as Harper and Machado, Grandal could be done in LA.

Anaheim seems like a good option though. Grandal is a player Billy Eppler should be willing to pay. He’ll be 30 next year, but he still has enough value for a 3-4 year deal. An underrated part of Grandal’s game is his game management. The Dodgers have so many great starters on their team, and Grandal is a part of that. He knows his guys, much like Maldonado did for the Angels, and puts in the work to help his starters in each start.

Now, the Angels do have bigger positions of need. However, if Grandal is hoping to stay in Southern California, Anaheim may be a surprise candidate for his services come Winter Meetings.

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 24: Houston Astros Martín Maldonado hugs Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during batting practice at Angel Stadium on April 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

The Depth Piece

The perfect depth piece for the Angels is Martin Maldonado. He would fit in perfectly with the current team just like he did the past two years he spent in Anaheim. Maldonado never got the credit he deserved while in Anaheim, but he was one of the most important players on the team.

A Gold Glove winner in 2017, Maldonado’s defense did fall from the elite category in 2018. He seemed a step behind with passed balls, but he was still a rock solid catcher. While the Angels did trade him to the Houston Astros, there seems to be no bad blood between the franchise and him.

Maldonado did turn 32 earlier this season, but it does not seem like his career is on the downward trend. In fact, he had a batting average of .225. While that is no All Star mark, it is higher than his career average.

The best part of Maldonado’s game is his game management and his relationship with his pitcher. As soon as it was announced Shohei Ohtani would begin in MLB career with the Angels, Maldonado demanded two years worth of film on the Japanese phenom, and their relationship was one of the best on the team.

He would not be the flashiest signing. But the Angels were a better team with Maldonado this year, and they’d arguably be a much better team in 2019 should they reunite with Martin Maldonado.

Unless….

ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Briceno #10 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates as he crosses the plate after hitting a pinch hit walk off home run in the eleventh inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

The Wild Card

At the beginning of this article, I mentioned the Angels could make a wild card “option”. Not one player. The move that the Angels could make that would be equally as risky as potentially rewarding would be the simplest one.

Do nothing at all.

The Angels have two very interesting catchers in Jose Briceno and Francisco Arcia. Arcia set records with his hot start, driving in 10 runs in his first two starts. However, after his historic start, Arcia hit an abysmal .168 with a .512 OPS in the following 38 games (24 starts).

Arcia is not the most interesting guy though. That honor goes to Jose Briceno.

Briceno hit .239 over the course of 128 at-bats. Of catchers with 275 at-bats, Briceno would have ranked seventh in the American League. He would rank right ahead of Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals, who just so happened to make the 2018 All Star Game.

Briceno also plays stellar defense. His caught stealing percentage of 44% is much higher than the league average 28%. He also only had two errors the entire season, and flashed the same kind of game management that Maldonado exhibited in his time in Anaheim.

The risk with Briceno is not having enough of a sample size to be super confident in his ability to replicate his 2018 over a full 2019 season. Evaluators usually look for 300 plate appearances, and Briceno finished the season with just 128.

Next. LA Angels Free Agency Preview: Catchers

He is far from a sure thing for the LA Angels. He could have been hot in 2018, and might not be able to handle a starter’s role in 2019. On the contrary, he could benefit from regular playing time, improve, and even make the All Star team in 2019 if everything goes exceptionally.

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