Angels sign C Geovany Soto

Well, now we know where Jett Bandy will be starting next year. Alden Gonzalez tweeted that the Angels agreed to terms with veteran backstop Geovany Soto on a one year, $2.8 million deal.

Billy Eppler continues to upgrade the team defense, as Soto threw out 30% of attempted base stealers last season while catching for the White Sox, while also grading out a very decent 5.6 framing runs above average. Soto hit .219/.301/.406 with the Sox as their back-up in 2015 and owns a career 102 OPS+. He strikes out a great deal (30% last season) but also sports a career 11% walk rate, so it would be like Iannetta never left.

With Carlos Perez establishing himself last season with fine defensive play and a few big moments at the plate (though he hit a pretty pedestrian .250/.299/.346 overall), Jett Bandy will very likely start the year in Salt Lake once again, unless he really impresses during spring. While many of us were hoping to see Jett get an opportunity, it's hard not to like this under-the-radar signing as a solid depth move, especially since the Angels are unlikely to have two catchers make it through the whole season unscathed two years in a row.