The Angels acquired catcher Chuckie Robinson from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations Wednesday, a move that essentially replaces Matt Thaiss with a catcher who can sit behind Logan O’Hoppe and Travis d’Arnaud on the depth chart
Robinson, 30, has hit .132 with a .364 OPS in 51 big-league games, with the White Sox and Cincinnati Reds. Last season, he threw out 21.4% of would-be base-stealers. He ranked 22nd out of 72 catchers in pitch framing last season (minimum 500 pitches). Robinson has a career .723 OPS in the minors.
More important, Robinson can be optioned, while Thaiss could not. The Angels designated Thaiss for assignment after they signed d’Arnaud to be O’Hoppe’s backup. Thaiss was subsequently traded to the Chicago Cubs, and then, coincidentally, to the White Sox. When the White Sox acquired Thaiss earlier this week, they could afford to move Robinson.
O’Hoppe and d’Arnaud are expected to be the Angels’ big-league catchers, but the team lacked minor-league depth in case of an injury to one of them.
Their best catching prospect, Juan Flores, is 18 and was in Class-A last season. The two Triple-A catchers were projected to be Zach Humphreys and Anthony Mulrine. Utility player Gustavo Campero had been a catcher before being switched to the outfield last season. He is catching again this winter, so he would also be an option to catch in the big leagues.
Robinson has solid defensive metrics and the experience of 652 games in the majors and minors. He was a former 21st-round pick of the Houston Astros, from the University of Southern Mississippi. He did not reach the majors until he was 27.
The Angels designated right-hander Davis Daniel for assignment to make room for Robinson on the 40-man roster. Daniel, 27, had a 5.06 ERA in 42⅔ major-league innings with the Angels.