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3 Angels DFA/trade candidates who could lose 40-man roster spot before Opening Day

By Zachary Rotman |
Mar 14, 2023; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss (21) hits against the
Mar 14, 2023; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss (21) hits against the / Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Angels are as deep as they've been in a very long time. They finally have collected quality pitching depth. They have so many infielders to the point where established veterans like Gio Urshela and David Fletcher won't have solidified starting jobs.

Having too much depth is the best kind of problem you can have. The Angels should be able to survive if they get a couple of injuries. Of course, no team can survive if a player like Mike Trout misses months or if the entire infield gets hurt like last season, but the Angels can withstand a couple of minor blows. They couldn't in the past.

What having this depth does mean is players who might deserve to make the roster won't. It also means players who are worthy of holding onto on the 40-man roster might not last because of someone else the Angels might want to add to it (Ben Joyce anyone?)

1. LA Angels catcher Matt Thaiss could be DFA'd or traded before Opening Day

Matt Thaiss doesn't deserve to be cut based on how he's performed this spring. He has seven hits in 18 at-bats and has drawn seven walks to just one strikeout. He has a .500 OBP! Yes, it's just Spring Training, but Thaiss has looked good with no shift and deserves one more shot at a spot with the Angels.

The problem is, where? Thaiss has switched back to catcher to try and create the possibility of him playing, but the Angels have their catcher of the future who just so happens to be MLB-ready. Yes, I believe Logan O'Hoppe should be the Opening Day catcher. He has far more upside than Thaiss and has looked comfortable at the plate and behind it.

The other catcher spot is completely locked up. The Angels paid Max Stassi, and as much as the fans might want to get rid of him, that's just not going to happen.

Thaiss in a perfect world would be the third catcher option. He'd start in AAA but come up if O'Hoppe struggles or one of O'Hoppe or Stassi goes on the IL. The Angels unfortunately don't have that luxury as Thaiss is out of options. He'd have to clear waivers in order to send him down to the minors. Taking Thaiss' versatility into account with how he's looked in the spring and the fact that he was a former first-round pick, the likelihood of him passing through waivers especially as a catcher, feels minimal at best.

The Angels might be able to trade Thaiss for literally anything, but could opt to test the waters and see if Thaiss clears waivers. It's definitely possible the Angels choose to roster Thaiss over O'Hoppe, that just wouldn't be what I'd do. I think Thaiss is on his way out.

2. LA Angels reliever Jose Marte could be DFA'd or traded before Opening Day

Jose Marte feels like the obvious roster casualty if the Angels decide to promote someone like Ben Joyce for Opening Day. Joyce is not on the 40-man, and Marte is.

Marte is on the 40-man roster but hasn't pitched in a game yet this spring. All I've seen about him is he was dealing with some soreness, but that was reported on March 8. It's 10 days later and Opening Day is in 12 days. I have no idea how he's doing, but hope he's all healthy.

The right-hander appeared in 11 games for the Angels last season and was downright dreadful. Nine runs in 11 innings pitched. 18 (!) walks and eight hits allowed in just 11 innings pitched. I get he has good stuff, but it's really hard to see Marte making an impact on this team anytime soon. He clearly was not ready.

Marte surprisingly was kept on the 40-man roster as the Angels opted to DFA Austin Warren before him. I would've DFA'd Marte there, but don't think he survives this now, if the Angels opt to bring someone like Joyce up.

3. LA Angels pitcher Jaime Barria could be DFA'd or traded before Opening Day

This one is definitely the most unlikely of the three by far, but Jaime Barria should be on the roster bubble. He's definitely worthy of being on a roster somewhere and obviously should be on a 40-man roster, but where does he fit in here?

Tucker Davidson looks like the favorite for the sixth starter spot. If it's not Davidson, I think someone like Griffin Canning should get it over Barria.

If the Angels do want to carry Ben Joyce on the Opening Day roster, who's going down? We know Estevez, Moore, Loup, Herget, Tepera, and Quijada are all locks to be a part of this bullpen. That leaves one more spot (assuming Joyce makes the team) for three guys. Zack Weiss is unlikely to make it, but he's on the 40-man and looked pretty good last season.

Andrew Wantz and Jaime Barria would realistically battle it out for the last spot if Joyce isn't with the team. I think the likely scenario no matter how much I disagree, is that Joyce is sent down (in large part because of this issue).

Barria being out of options helps in this case as he'd have to be DFA'd to get sent down. Andrew Wantz doesn't deserve to get sent down either though. Wantz had a 3.22 ERA in 42 appearances and has looked good this spring with 4.1 scoreless innings.

If the Angels do decide Barria is not worthy of an Opening Day roster spot, I think they'd be able to trade him pretty easily to a team in search of a swingman. Barria has shown to be capable in the rotation and in the bullpen. As I said before it's unlikely, but if Joyce does make the team, it certainly can't be ruled out.

Next. 3 biggest losers of Angels Spring Training so far. dark

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