The Angels will not tender a contract to backstop Kevan Smith, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). MLBTR and contributor Matt Swartz projected him to earn $1.3MM through the arbitration process.
Smith is said to be the only remaining arb-eligible Halos player who won’t receive a contract tender tonight. That suggests the club will retain backstop Max Stassi, who’ll presumably serve as the backup to an as-yet-unknown primary catcher once he has recovered from hip surgery.
Last year, after coming over from the White Sox in a waiver claim, Smith turned in a .251/.318/.393 batting line in 211 plate appearances. He has a history of decent offensive production, but hasn’t graded well as a framer and evidently didn’t impress enough overall with the glove to keep his spot in Anaheim.
Produced more than Pujols.
Pujols had just shy of 200 RBIs over the past 2 seasons.
Truly WTH? So now Stassi is the only catcher on the roster. A guy who couldn’t hit his weight WITH a trash can giving him the pitch.
Freaking awesome. Might as well let the pitchers hit and have a DH for Stassi.
Forgot about Penboom. Not exactly the second coming of the Molina brothers behind the dish.
Props for the trash can. Ha.
if they keep 2.5 A Stassi and not him…
Max Stassi? Why would anyone offer him anything?
What this does mean is the Angels will be signing someone like Castro.
Hopefully. Even a Palwecki would be a boost over Stassi.
I’m surprised. I for real thought he’d be our backup.
Well hopefully his new agency can get him a MLB contract
Meh, hopefully they non tended the whole team
He had concussion issues on and off this past season. Which most likely was a determining factor.
He was a disaster on defense. The Angels need an everyday catcher, my guess is Maldonado.
^this
How can the Angels have questions behind the plate? Isn’t ever manager they ever hire a retired catcher?