Cubs Execute Trade for Much-Needed Depth at Struggling Position

The Chicago Cubs were busy on Wednesday, making a few deals that included trading for catcher Matt Thaiss from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash. The 29-year-old gives the Cubs much-needed depth at the catcher position, where the organization is currently lacking. Before anyone freaks out, the Cubs did not trade for Thaiss to be their backup catcher at the major league level. Right?

Thaiss has 245 MLB games under his belt all coming with the Angels. He debuted in 2019, and since then has posted a career 83 wRC+. No, he’s not going to give the Cubs a boost offensively at catcher, but he’s more than capable of stepping in if needed throughout the season.

That’s the assumption here as the Cubs can non-tender Thaiss by Friday’s deadline and then retain him on a minor league deal or try to squeeze him through waivers and if he goes unclaimed the Cubs can outright him off the 40-man roster and keep him as Triple-A depth to begin the season.

The Cubs made room for Thaiss on Wednesday by designating right-handed reliever Trey Wingenter for assignment.

The Angels DFA’d Thaiss last week after signing veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud to a two-year contract.

In 2024, Thaiss appeared in 57 games and slashed .204/.323/.299, recording an 83 wRC+ which matched his career mark. He’s a patient hitter, recording a walk rate of 12.6% throughout his career, including a 15.1 BB% in 2024, but that also comes with a career 29.3 K%. Thaiss hit 9 home runs in 307 plate appearances during the 2023 season, the best offensive output of his career.

Nothing special on defense and just an all-around stereotypical backup catcher. But again, let’s hope that Thaiss isn’t actually the only move the Cubs make at the catcher position this offseason. That would be extremely upsetting or if that is the case, then it means the team really believed in Miguel Amaya’s second-half turnaround in 2024.