Angels trade catcher Matt Thaiss to Cubs for cash
Catcher Matt Thaiss has agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs paying $1 million while in the major leagues and $400,000 while in the minors.
Thaiss was acquired Wednesday from the Los Angeles Angels, who had designated him for assignment on Nov. 14.
A 29-year-old who made his major league debut in 2019, Thaiss has a .208 average with 22 homers and 79 RBIs in six major league seasons, all with the Angels. He hit .204 with two homers and 16 RBIs in 157 at-bats over 57 games this year.
The move comes days after the Halos signed veteran backstop Travis d’Arnaud to a two-year, $12 million deal. With up and coming catcher Logan O’Hoppe already slated to get the most reps in the coming season, the team had a catcher to spare.
Thaiss was drafted No. 16 overall by the Angels in the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Virginia.
Dustin May and Dodgers agree to 1-year contract worth $2,135,000
A member of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship team, May has been limited to 20 starts since then.
He had Tommy John surgery on May 12, 2021, 11 days after leaving a start at Milwaukee in the second inning following a 94.3 mph fastball to Billy McKinney. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said May felt a shooting sensation on a curveball earlier in the plate appearance.
May returned to the Dodgers on Aug. 20, 2022, then left a start against Minnesota on May 17, 2023, after the first inning, when his fastball velocity dropped about 2 mph below his season average. May had Tommy John surgery for the second time that July 18.
Expected to return during the second half of the 2024 season, May had surgery this July to repair a tear in his esophagus.
May is 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA in 34 starts and 12 relief appearances over five seasons with the Dodgers. He is eligible for free agency after the 2025 World Series.
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