Trade Breakdown: Matt Thaiss headed to the Cubs |
Apparently, all it took for the Cubs' offseason to get going was a few 40-man roster decisions. You started to see some of those decisions on Tuesday, and that continued into Wednesday when the Cubs traded for Eli Morgan from the Guardians in exchange for Alfonsin Rosario. That was just the tip of the iceberg, as the Cubs made their second trade of the day with the Los Angeles Angels, and Matt Thaiss is on his way to Chicago.
This rumor circulated a few weeks after Travis d'Arnaud signed with the Angels. Now that the deal is done, it appears the Cubs have their backup catcher for 2025. Unlike their previous trade, in which they were forced to give up a fast-rising prospect, this one comes with cash going the Angels' way, so it is essentially a win-win for both sides. Thaiss is a 29-year-old backup catcher who has been a backup for most of his career. With Logan O'Hoppe and d'Arnaud as their main options, the Angels elected to DFA Thaiss with the hopes of trading him at some point. The Angels not only got their wish, but the Cubs got a very capable backup catcher who is arbitration-eligible this season and is expected to make close to 1.5 million. We have already discussed several backup catching options for the Cubs, including Danny Jansen, Kyle Higashioka, and Carson Kelly. Still, those discussions can be put to rest as Thaiss is expected to be tendered and added to the Cubs roster by Friday. What you are getting from Thaiss is simple. He is a veteran backup who can spell Miguel Amaya a few days a week and can provide you with some solid numbers across the board. You may not see that when you look at his stat line, although a (.211/.321/.324/83 wRC+ the last three years is very solid for a backup option. Thaiss doesn't have a ton of power. Still, he does have the ability to give you 5-10 homers with consistent plate appearances as any production from him will be more than what Yan Gomes gave this team last season. While he is considered a below-average catcher overall, he does play average to slightly above-average defense. That alone is an upgrade behind the dish, as the Cubs were one of the worst defensive teams regarding the catcher position. His arm is very accurate, but even though it is not considered an elite arm, teams can still steal off him. Look for him to at least keep the pressure on some of these teams. Thaiss isn't an impact player by any means, but he is cheap and fills one of the many holes this Cubs team has. When you look at what it would cost to get Jansen or Kelly to Chicago, those guys would be signing to be starters, not backups. Knowing that Moises Ballesteros is waiting in the wings, any catcher addition had to be okay with a backup role, which Thaiss should be fine with. Like the trade for Morgan earlier in the day, adding Thaiss to this roster came with a price: Someone had to be removed. This time, Trey Wingenter, a hard-throwing righty, is getting the short end of the stick, as he has been designated for assignment.
Like many Cubs relievers last season, finding production out of the pen was a revolving door, as the Cubs had an endless pipeline of minor league players all trying their luck at the MLB level. Wingenter was one of those pitchers after he signed with the Cubs in June. The imposing 6-7 right-hander is known for his 97 plus MPH fastball, which he pairs with a solid breaking ball.
Now, at 30 years old, Wingenter's best days are behind him, as he will most likely be stuck signing minor-league deals from here on out. With a career 5.67 ERA in 97 games, Wingenter hasn't had much success at the MLB level, and you saw that in his brief stint with the Cubs, posting a 9.72 ERA in seven games.
However, if you look at his minor league numbers, there is potential there, as Wingenter went 5-5 in 38 games last season with a 2.98 ERA. That goes to show that he could be another one of those career minor league arms signed for depth purposes, and there is a chance he could wind up resigning with Iowa should he clear the waiver wire market.
