OC Register: Angels transfer catcher Max Stassi to restricted list, cutting more payroll

[AngelsWin.com]

OAKLAND — Max Stassi has missed the entire season on the injured list, but his absence no longer has anything to do with baseball.

The Angels placed the catcher on the restricted list, effective Saturday, because Stassi “informed the Angels that while he is in position to resume activities to return to MLB, he has voluntarily chosen not to do so for the remainder of the 2023 season as a result of a serious family medical issue,” according to an Angels statement.

The impact of the move is that the Angels will not be responsible for the rest of Stassi’s $7 million salary in 2023, which might help them get under the luxury-tax threshold.

The payroll, for purposes of the luxury tax, is calculated using the average annual values of the contracts. The AAV of Stassi’s three-year, $17.5-million contract was $5.8 million. That is reduced to about $5.5 million by eliminating the final $1 million he was to be paid this year.

It is not known if that alone will be enough to get the Angels under the $233 million threshold for the luxury tax. Last week, the Angels placed six players on waivers in an effort to clear some salary toward the end of this disappointing season. Only five were claimed, leaving them slightly above the luxury tax threshold.

There is still a month left in the season, and each transaction has the potential to slightly alter the payroll.The final calculation will be done by MLB in December.

If the Angels finish above the threshold, they would pay a 20% tax on the overage. Obviously that would be an insignificant amount of money relative to the entire payroll, but it would mean that they’d be subject to a 30% tax if they go over in 2024.

Also, if the Angels exceed the luxury tax, the compensation pick they would receive if they lose Shohei Ohtani would be after the fourth round instead of after the second round.

Stassi, 32, was in position to be one of the Angels catchers, but just before Opening Day he suffered a hip injury. Around the same time, he began dealing with a family medical emergency that has persisted through the entire season.

The Angels opted to keep him on the injured list – instead of the restricted list – throughout the first five months of the season because Stassi was still receiving treatment. It also allowed him to continue to be paid.

Stassi remains under contract for $7 million in 2024, with a $7.5 million option or a $500,000 buyout for 2025.

“Our thoughts are with him and his family,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “It’s a tough time for him. A lot of guys have reached out, called, kept in contact throughout the season. I have as well. A lot of our thoughts are with Max and and his family.”

VELAZQUEZ OPTIONED

The Angels sent down shortstop Andrew Velazquez a day after he was caught stealing third with no outs in the Angels’ 2-1 loss to the Oakland A’s.

Although Nevin said the move wasn’t entirely because of that mistake, he acknowledged that Velazquez needs to do a better job with fundamentals. His first-inning error in a game last month in Texas prompted Nevin’s dugout tirade about “focus.”

“When you’re in the role you are, that Squid has been in, coming in late in games, those mistakes becoming glaring,” Nevin said, referring to the baserunning mistake. “They need to be discussed. Quite frankly, they just can’t happen.”

The Angels replaced Velazquez with Matt Thaiss, who was activated from the injured list. Thaiss was out with shoulder inflammation. He’s not ready to throw well enough to go behind the plate, but he can hit. The Angels still have Logan O’Hoppe and Chad Wallach as their two catchers.

NOTES

Right-hander Chase Silseth (concussion) is not going to be ready to start this week against the Baltimore Orioles, as the Angels had hoped. “Still evaluating,” Nevin said. “Still having certain things we need to get past, but he’s getting close.” Left-handers Kenny Rosenberg, Patrick Sandoval and Reid Detmers will start the three games against Baltimore. …

Shortstop Zach Neto (lower back inflammation) will work out with the Angels on Monday in Anaheim. Iif that goes well, he could begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Nevin said.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Kenny Rosenberg, 0-0, 6.43) vs. Orioles (RHP Grayson Rodriguez, 4-3, 5.03), 6:38 p.m. Monday, Angel Stadium, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

View the full article

[jsnpritchett]

"he Angels replaced Velazquez with Matt Thaiss, who was activated from the injured list. Thaiss was out with shoulder inflammation. He’s not ready to throw well enough to go behind the plate, but he can hit."

Makes activating him all the more pointless.  So he can occasionally pinch hit, then?  Who needs that on this team at this point in the season?

[totdprods]

12 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

"he Angels replaced Velazquez with Matt Thaiss, who was activated from the injured list. Thaiss was out with shoulder inflammation. He’s not ready to throw well enough to go behind the plate, but he can hit."

Makes activating him all the more pointless.  So he can occasionally pinch hit, then?  Who needs that on this team at this point in the season?

It sounded like Nevin was pretty tired of Velazquez.

[jsnpritchett]

1 minute ago, totdprods said:

It sounded like Nevin was pretty tired of Velazquez.

Sure, but they could have brought up Adams or something instead of activating Thaiss.

[totdprods]

2 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

Sure, but they could have brought up Adams or something instead of activating Thaiss.

Has it been ten days for Adams? Does that matter after roster expansion?

[Angels 1961]

1 minute ago, jsnpritchett said:

Sure, but they could have brought up Adams or something instead of activating Thaiss.

If Adams is not going to play every day leave him down.

[jsnpritchett]

1 minute ago, totdprods said:

Has it been ten days for Adams? Does that matter after roster expansion?

He was sent down Aug 20.

[jsnpritchett]

3 minutes ago, Angels 1961 said:

If Adams is not going to play every day leave him down.

Call him up and play him instead of Grichuk.  There is literally no reason to be playing Grichuk at this point.

[Angels 1961]

2 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

Call him up and play him instead of Grichuk.  There is literally no reason to be playing Grichuk at this point.

I agree

[BTH]

1 hour ago, AngelsWin.com said:

The payroll, for purposes of the luxury tax, is calculated using the average annual values of the contracts. The AAV of Stassi’s three-year, $17.5-million contract was $5.8 million. That is reduced to about $5.5 million by eliminating the final $1 million he was to be paid this year.

So the savings against the luxury tax (~$900k) are divided by the three years (to $300k) and are not just the amount they save this year?

[BTH]

1 hour ago, jsnpritchett said:

Makes activating him all the more pointless.  So he can occasionally pinch hit, then?  Who needs that on this team at this point in the season?

They save money by activating Thaiss instead of leaving him on the IL and calling up someone else.

 

[Stradling]

They could just have 26 guys up instead of 28 guys, if they are pinching pennies. That would save them $200k

[DMVol]

1 minute ago, Stradling said:

They could just have 26 guys up instead of 28 guys, if they are pinching pennies. That would save them $200k

Bet the players Union would file a grievance over that…

[BTH]

3 minutes ago, Stradling said:

They could just have 26 guys up instead of 28 guys, if they are pinching pennies. That would save them $200k

“From Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season, all clubs must carry 28 players, with a limit of 14 pitchers.”

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/26-man-roster

[BTH]

But they could also call up players with guaranteed contracts (Phillips, Walsh, Fletcher) and option players making league minimum.

[fan_since79]

Is Fletcher really so awful that he could not be called up? 

[Stradling]

2 minutes ago, BTH said:

But they could also call up players with guaranteed contracts (Phillips, Walsh, Fletcher) and option players making league minimum.

That’s actually smart in this scenario. 

[jsnpritchett]

2 minutes ago, fan_since79 said:

Is Fletcher really so awful that he could not be called up? 

[BTH]

1 minute ago, fan_since79 said:

Is Fletcher really so awful that he could not be called up? 

I think they at least want to wait until the point where he can’t reach 5 years of service time this season, that way they can outright him off the 40-man roster in the offseason without him being able to elect free agency and still get paid.

He’s like 25 days away from reaching 5 years.

So he’d need to be down for a few more days.

[BTH]

6 minutes ago, Stradling said:

That’s actually smart in this scenario. 

In theory, that’d save like $300k if you option 3 players making league minimum and replace them with those 3.

But who gets sent down to make room?

Cabbage, Stefanic, and ??? (Paris, O’Hoppe, Moniak, and Schanuel are the only other guys on the active roster with options)

[mmc]

17 minutes ago, fan_since79 said:

Is Fletcher really so awful that he could not be called up? 

Why do you keep saying this?  You're watching the same games we all are.  If how's he played for 3 years now hasn't convinced you the answer to this question is yes, what will?

[Stradling]

16 minutes ago, mmc said:

Why do you keep saying this?  You're watching the same games we all are.  If how's he played for 3 years now hasn't convinced you the answer to this question is yes, what will?

It’s hot in Bixby Knolls. Excessive heat causes dementia.  One sign of dementia is asking the same questions over and over and over and over again.  

[Angel Oracle]

Fletcher’s time has come and gone.

Only 20 XBH’s and 24 BBs in nearly 350 PAs in an extreme offense league, and still a slap happy hit the ball in the air guy

Edited September 4, 2023 by Angel Oracle

[jsnpritchett]

I randomly thought of Stassi again today.  I know a player can stay on the restricted list indefinitely without taking up roster space or being paid, but @Jeff Fletcher, do you have any sense of whether there will be a resolution of his status for 2024 anytime soon after this season ends?

[Jeff Fletcher]

7 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

I randomly thought of Stassi again today.  I know a player can stay on the restricted list indefinitely without taking up roster space or being paid, but @Jeff Fletcher, do you have any sense of whether there will be a resolution of his status for 2024 anytime soon after this season ends?

I am not sure.