A Surprising Move in Baseball: The Athletics Sign a Veteran Catcher to a Minor League Deal!
In a development that might have flown under the radar for some, the Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with experienced catcher Chad Wallach on a minor league contract. This means Wallach will be joining the organization, likely with an invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster player, and is expected to start the season with the Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas.
Who is Chad Wallach and why is this significant? Wallach, who is 34 years old, has spent a considerable portion of the last four years with the Los Angeles Angels. He's often found himself as the third or fourth catcher on their depth chart. Last September, the Angels gave him a call-up during a period when they were dealing with injuries to key catchers like Travis d’Arnaud and Logan O’Hoppe. Wallach did get into one game, catching two innings in a loss against Seattle. However, once O’Hoppe was healthy again, the Angels moved Wallach off their roster.
This brief stint with the Angels marked Wallach's only MLB action since 2023. While he has appeared in parts of eight big league seasons, he only saw more regular playing time about three years ago. At that time, he played in 65 games and had 172 plate appearances for the Angels. His career MLB stats show a batting average of .198, an on-base percentage of .263, and a slugging percentage of .328 over 443 plate appearances. Last year, he had a solid performance in Triple-A, batting .248/.319/.430, splitting his time between the Angels and Rangers organizations.
But here's where it gets interesting for the Athletics' roster: The team already has Shea Langeliers slated to be their primary catcher, provided he stays healthy. Austin Wynns is expected to be his backup. These are the only two catchers currently on the Athletics' 40-man roster. Wallach's signing brings valuable experience as their most seasoned non-roster option. He joins other experienced organizational depth players like Brian Serven and Bryan Lavastida, who also have MLB experience. This move suggests the Athletics are prioritizing depth and competition at the catcher position.
Now, what do you think? Is signing a veteran catcher like Wallach to a minor league deal a smart move for the Athletics, or do you believe they should focus more on developing younger talent? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
