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.
hittingnull
Produced more than Pujols.
prov356
Pujols had just shy of 200 RBIs over the past 2 seasons.
HalosHeavenJJ
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.
HalosHeavenJJ
Forgot about Penboom. Not exactly the second coming of the Molina brothers behind the dish.
dirkg
Props for the trash can. Ha.
DarkSide830
if they keep 2.5 A Stassi and not him…
macstruts
Max Stassi? Why would anyone offer him anything?
What this does mean is the Angels will be signing someone like Castro.
HalosHeavenJJ
Hopefully. Even a Palwecki would be a boost over Stassi.
andrewgauldin
I’m surprised. I for real thought he’d be our backup.
8
Well hopefully his new agency can get him a MLB contract
halofan20
Meh, hopefully they non tended the whole team
angelsfan4life
He had concussion issues on and off this past season. Which most likely was a determining factor.
trout27
He was a disaster on defense. The Angels need an everyday catcher, my guess is Maldonado.
notHaloShane
^this
Thomas Bliss
How can the Angels have questions behind the plate? Isn’t ever manager they ever hire a retired catcher?