The Angels acquired catcher Tyler Heineman from the Blue Jays on Wednesday for cash considerations.
The Angels announced the move on their official X account, bringing in a veteran backstop who’s been one of the better defensive catchers in baseball this season.
Here’s what makes Heineman attractive: he ranks tied for third among all MLB catchers with 16 Defensive Runs Saved since the start of 2025. Even more impressive, he’s thrown out 12 of 33 would-be base stealers this season. That 36.4% caught stealing rate leads all American League catchers with at least 15 stolen base attempts against them.
The Blue Jays were apparently willing to move on from the 33-year-old backstop, and rumors about his availability had been floating around before this deal got done.
Heineman’s taken quite a journey through the majors. He broke in with Miami back in 2019, then found his way to Toronto in 2022. He’s bounced between the Blue Jays and Pirates over the past few seasons, with a brief stop in Boston last year before returning to the Blue Jays.
The offensive numbers tell a different story than his defensive value. Over 281 career at-bats with Toronto, Heineman hit .242 with four home runs and 12 doubles. His OPS+ sat at 83 during his time there.
This season’s been tough at the plate – he’s batting just .154 with one home run in 78 at-bats. But that’s not why the Angels brought him in.
It’s pretty clear Los Angeles values what Heineman brings behind the plate. His ability to control the running game and manage a pitching staff makes him a solid pickup for a team that needs reliable defense at a premium position.
The Angels get a proven veteran who knows how to handle major league pitching staffs, while the Blue Jays free up a roster spot and get some cash back. Sometimes these smaller moves end up making a bigger difference than anyone expects.
