The Los Angeles Angels bolstered their catching depth on Wednesday, acquiring Chuckie Robinson from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations. To open a spot on the 40-man roster for their new backstop, the Halos designated right-hander Davis Daniel for assignment.
While the 30-year-old Robinson struggled offensively in his brief MLB debut last season, hitting just .129 across 26 games, he showcased defensive prowess by throwing out 21.4% of attempted base stealers. That caught rate ranked third among all American League catchers in 2024, according to the Angels’ announcement of the trade.
Angels Address Catching Corps
By adding Robinson, the Angels bring in a glove-first option to compete for a backup role behind the plate. The right-handed hitter will likely vie for playing time with incumbent catchers Max Stassi and Matt Thaiss.
Chuckie gives us a strong defensive catcher with some pop. He’ll have a chance to earn a spot on the club in spring training.
– Perry Minasian, Angels GM
While Robinson may not be a household name, he provides the Angels with important organizational catching depth entering 2025. His defensive abilities could prove valuable, especially with pitch framing and game calling becoming increasingly vital skills in today’s game.
Paying the Price
In order to bring Robinson into the fold, the Angels parted ways with Davis Daniel, a 27-year-old righty who struggled mightily in his first taste of the majors last year. In 6 starts, Daniel posted a bloated 6.23 ERA across 26 innings.
- Daniel’s 2024 stats: 1-4 record, 6.23 ERA, 26 IP, 27 K, 14 BB
Though cutting bait with a disappointing rookie arm is never ideal, the Angels clearly prioritized solidifying their catching situation over holding onto a fringe rotation candidate. And at 30 years old, Robinson is no youngster himself, profiling more as reliable depth than an upside play.
ChiSox Catching Surplus
For the White Sox, dealing Robinson frees up a 40-man roster spot and provides a bit of financial flexibility, albeit a very small amount. Chicago still has Yasmani Grandal and Seby Zavala as primary catchers at the MLB level, with prospect Carlos Pérez waiting in the wings.
While Robinson showed some power potential in the upper minors, clubbing 17 homers at Triple-A in 2023, his bat hasn’t yet translated to the big leagues. Still, his defensive chops and affordable salary could make him a quality backup for the Angels or another club if he fails to crack LA’s Opening Day roster.
Final Thoughts
All in all, this represents a minor trade in the grand scheme of the offseason. But for an Angels team looking to inch back into contention, shoring up the margins of the roster remains important. Robinson won’t make or break their 2025 hopes, but he makes them a bit deeper and more well-rounded as they aim to finally break their postseason drought.
The Angels will now wait to learn if Robinson makes it through waivers unclaimed. If so, he’ll head to spring camp battling for a coveted spot on the team’s Opening Day catching corps. If not, it’s a minimal gamble for a club hoping to turn the page after years of underachievement.
