The Angels have re-signed catcher Chad Wallach to a minor league contract, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports (X link). Wallach entered free agency after being outrighted off the Halos’ 40-man roster following the season, and it is safe to guess that his new minors deal contains an invitation to Spring Training.
It is the second catcher signing in as many days for Los Angeles, as Francisco Mejia was also added on a minors contract yesterday. Logan O’Hoppe is set to be the Angels’ starting catcher and Matt Thaiss has the inside track on the backup job, but Mejia and Wallach will provide some veteran competition and depth in Spring Training. Since Thaiss also has some experience as a corner infielder, the Halos could even consider carrying three catchers on the Opening Day roster, depending on how the rest of their offseason dealings play out.
Wallach is a known quantity in Anaheim, first joining the organization after being claimed off waivers from the Dodgers in August 2021. The Angels have outrighted Wallach off the roster four times, and this marks the second straight offseason that Wallach had elected free agency and then re-signed with the organization.
Wallach’s defense and reputation as a quality game-caller have led to a seven-year Major League career, consisting of 155 career games and 443 plate appearances with the Reds, Marlins and Angels from 2017-23. Due to the Angels’ catching injuries last season, Wallach set new career highs in both games played (65) and PA (172), though he didn’t deliver much at the plate. Over his 443 career PA, Wallach has hit .198/.263/.328 with 11 home runs — seven of those dingers came in 2023.
Well we know who will be the Bee’s catching tandem. Mejia and Wallach.
Bee’s?!?!? Don’t get Mark P started!
Now they should sign someone named Tyrone so they have Chad and Tyrone on the team.
another aggressive signing
That’s Perry! Mr. Bulldog! Just a viscious, @ss kickin GM!
Perry has quietly started the tear down! Outside of our young kids who we should keep after deadline deals last year we don’t have much left to trade for more prospects!
Oh goody, more minor leaguers.
Kinda glad they resigned wallach, even though he’s the 4th catcher.
Signing a couple over priced free agents isn’t gonna make the Angels a potential playoff team this coming season so why do it? Play the kids and see what U have going forward! We pick 8th and have an extra pick after the second round so create a game plan for 2025! Reduce payroll so we have more money available for free agent and trade contracts next year. Once Ohtani left competing in our highly competitive division this coming season became a pipe dream!
I’m not sure you been paying attention how the Angels farm has been doing, they have not done well at all levels. So playing the kids is not going to get them too far.
“Wallach is a known quantity in Anaheim.” Yeah, a pittance. Quality game caller? Everyone knows that Ohtani and Anderson were the only ones that called any pitches. The catchers don’t call crap. It all came from the bench/front office and irked some pitchers.
SkipJutz, there was an interesting interview with the new Angels pitching coach, Barry Enright, in the Athletic, in which he said that Logan O’Hoppe told him that there was a script the Angels had to follow, and Enright said he wants to get away from that.
He has to go through Arte and that won’t go far
Bang! 2024 WS lock it up
Have a feeling Halo’s get Snell today…Just a hunch..
Ian Snell???
Frida Snell. The Swedish pop singer.
Don’t count out the power of a pop singer! The KC Chiefs signed Mr. Taylor Swift and they’re doing alright, right?
I knew you were a gigantic Swiftie!!!
um…woohoo…
Angels are building a nice AA team.
LMAO
Adding trade chips to acquire highly rated prospects.
Nobody is trading a worthwhile prospect for Chad Wallach.
It’s possible that Thaiss gets moved, teams were checking on him. Not going to bring back anything in value but at this point might as well get a lotto ticket, and see if it pans out 3-4 years later. O’s got bradish for Bundy.
Thanks for that vital info Birdieman. It’s pure AAA catching injury back-up. Thanks thou.
That’s a solid AAA tandem.