Angels Sign All-Star, World Series Winning Catcher in Blockbuster Move

Maren Angus-Coombs | Nov 12, 2024

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels have signed free-agent catcher Travis d'Arnaud to a two-year, $12 million deal.

Right-hander Guillo Zuñiga has been designated for assignment as a corresponding move, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register on X.

The Southern California native and former All-Star, who will turn 36 in February, has spent the past few seasons with Atlanta. However, the team opted not to exercise its $8 million club option for 2025, making him a free agent last week.

I was chatting with Wash this season about the development of Logan O’Hoppe, and I asked him who is the ideal catcher Logan should try to become, and he said Travis d’Arnaud. https://t.co/Ln9iXK6FhX

— Wayne Randazzo (@WayneRandazzo) November 12, 2024

d’Arnaud, 35, just wrapped up his 12th MLB season and his fifth with Atlanta. In 2024, he posted a .238 average (73 hits in 307 at-bats), with 40 runs, 16 doubles, 15 home runs, and 48 RBIs over 99 games. His power at the plate remained strong, with his 15 home runs tying him for fifth among National League catchers.

Behind the plate, d’Arnaud handled 706.2 innings across 89 games as a catcher, showing his defensive experience and skill. He managed to throw out 19.1 percent of attempted base stealers, continuing to bring solid value as a veteran catcher.

In the postseason, d’Arnaud played in both of Atlanta’s Wild Card Series games against San Diego. He went 1-for-5, adding a double to his postseason performance, though Atlanta's run was short-lived.

Though he’s no longer an everyday starter, d'Arnaud earned an All-Star selection just two seasons ago with Atlanta and took home a Silver Slugger award during the shortened 2020 season.

d’Arnaud was selected by the Phillies as the 37th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft, coming out of Lakewood High School. He made his Major League debut with the New York Mets on Aug. 17, 2013, marking the start of a steady and accomplished career behind the plate.

Sal Fasano has joined the Angels as an assistant pitching coach. He was a longtime catcher/catching coach.

And, he is a World Series champion with the Angels, having caught two games with LAA in 2002.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) November 12, 2024

Over the years, d’Arnaud has racked up several accolades, including a Silver Slugger Award in 2020 and a National League All-Star selection in 2022. He’s no stranger to the postseason, with 57 playoff games under his belt and a key role in the Braves’ 2021 World Series Championship.

Across 884 regular-season games — 797 of which were at catcher — d’Arnaud has built a .248 career batting average, tallying 157 doubles, 123 home runs, and 438 RBIs. His career spans 12 seasons with the Mets (2013-19), Dodgers (2019), Rays (2019), and Braves (2020-24), making him a seasoned and versatile catcher in the league.

The Angels will most likely utilize the veteran as a back up to young starter Logan O'Hoppe.