Former Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto signs with the Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have signed former Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto.  This comes shortly after the Angels passed on catcher Chris Iannetta letting him test the free-agency waters.  Iannetta ended up landing up being signed by the Seattle Mariners.

Geovany was acquired by Oakland Athletics during the 2014 season in exchange for cash considerations.  This came after a rough season and injuries while with the Rangers.

Also, during the 2014 season Soto was arrested in Grapevine, Texas after playing a rehab game in Double-A with the Frisco Rough Riders.

Shortly after the arrest Soto apologized for the incident and started with the Texas Rangers 10 days later.   During the 2014 season with the Rangers he appeared in only 10 games.  He had a batting line of .237/.237/.368/.605 with 2 doubles, 1 home run and 3 RBI.  He was a mediocre catcher who sometimes would have a good bat.

During the 2015 season he had a batting line of .219/.301/.406/.708 with 8 doubles, 9 home runs and 21 RBI.  He had a 1.1 offensive WAR and a 0.3 defensive WAR.  That puts him at or around an average catcher in the league.

I’d expect to see about the same thing next season with the Los Angeles Angels out of Soto.  I’d guess the Soto will backup Carlos Perez, because Perez got a majority of the playing time during the 2015 season.

Next: Mariners sign Chris Iannetta: How will it impact the Texas Rangers?

I do find it interesting that both Soto and Iannetta are bouncing around the American League West.  It does help both catchers because they’ll have a wealth of knowledge about the batters they’ll see next season.  That will help them a lot when trying to call a game for pitchers.  Geovany Soto had some great moments with the Texas Rangers.  I wish him well with the Angels, except of course when the Rangers face them.