Angels and catcher Travis d’Arnaud reach a two-year, $12 million deal

It was announced Tuesday that the Los Angeles Angels continued their aggressive moves early in free agency, agreeing to a two-year, $12 million contract with catcher Travis d’Arnaud.

The Atlanta Braves declined to pick up a one-year, $8 million option on d’Arnaud last week, and the Angels struck with a multi-year offer for the veteran catcher, who will be 36 on Opening Day.

In a market where catching opportunities were scarce, d’Arnaud was one of the best players available at the position. He will serve as a backup to Logan O’Hoppe, the 24-year-old who has hit 20 home runs and looks like a key player for Los Angeles in the future.

The Angels have already added two more veterans to a team that posted a 63-99 record this year, trading for designated hitter Jorge Soler and giving right-hander Kyle Hendricks a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

The addition of d’Arnaud, who hit .238/.302/.436 with 15 home runs in 341 plate appearances, helps bolster a roster that lacked depth last year and contributes to a payroll of nearly 170 million US dollars. Much of that will be dominated by outfielder Mike Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon, who will make a combined $75 million this year.

“Travis really stood out for us — someone who can not only play at a high level, but his makeup is off the charts,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said in a video conference. “He’s a winner. He played on a lot of winning teams. He knows what winning teams do. He has the ability to influence the locker room as positively as anyone I’ve ever been around. “He’s great at young pitching.” He’s great at dealing with coaches. He’s just a great guy who lives 25 minutes away and really wanted to be here.

“I think it will be great for a guy like Logan who is coming into his own to have someone by his side as part of that tandem. Having someone like Travis d’Arnaud by your side will really push his career forward.”

The Angels’ attempt to compete in 2025 is closely tied to the high likelihood that they will not be eligible for a top-10 pick in the 2026 draft. If Los Angeles picks in the top six of the 2025 draft lottery – which is almost certain – the Angels will not be eligible to do so in 2026 due to anti-tanking rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

With little incentive to lose, the Angels are trying to build around Trout and a roster of young players: O’Hoppe, shortstop Zach Neto, first baseman Nolan Schanuel and right-handed starter Jose Soriano. Infielder Luis Rengifo, outfielder Taylor Ward and left-handed starter Tyler Anderson are among the Angels’ hopes for victory next year.

A 12-year veteran, d’Arnaud spent the last five years with the Braves. In 884 career games, he hit .248/.309/.426 with 123 home runs and 438 RBIs with the Mets, Dodgers, Rays and Braves.

A Silver Slugger winner in 2020 and an All-Star in 2022, d’Arnaud has caught 20.4% of baserunners in his career.

Ron Washington, the Angels’ manager, was a coach on the Braves’ team when d’Arnaud was there – including their team that won the 2021 World Series.

D’Arnaud’s presence clearly means that Matt Thaiss, the 2016 first-round pick who played catcher and moved to the corner infield only to return to catcher and serve as the Angels’ backup the last two years, no longer has a clear place on the squad.

Minasian was noncommittal about eventually trading him.

The Angels’ pitchers had the second-highest walk rate in the majors last year, ahead of only the Chicago White Sox. Minasian believes d’Arnaud, who has excelled as an above-average pitch framer and has been praised for how he works with staff on game planning, will be helpful in that area.

“To me, the catching position is so important to a club,” said Minasian, who was in the Braves’ front office when d’Arnaud came to Atlanta in 2020. “And to have two players of that caliber on the same team — and to feel like we can put a catcher on the field every day that gives us a chance to win every day — that’s huge.”

To make room for d’Arnaud on the roster, the Angels designated right-hander Guillo Zuniga for assignment.

ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.