Angels, Ehire Adrianza Agree To Minor League Deal
Manager Ron Washington revealed to beat reporters in camp this morning that the Angels and veteran infielder Ehire Adrianza have reached an agreement on a minor league contract (X link via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com). Adrianza hasn’t finished his physical, so the Warner Sports Management client’s pact isn’t official just yet, but it’s a minor league agreement.
Adrianza, 34, is well-versed with Washington’s career, having worked for the Braves for most of the previous three seasons as a coach before being rehired this winter to manage Anaheim. He’ll battle for a bench place for the Halos and offer some variety to the team.
Over the previous 11 seasons, Adrianza has made an appearance in the major leagues, usually as a bench warmer. Together with the Braves, he has played for the Giants, Twins, and Nationals..352/.308/.238 hitting line in 1550 at-bats. Due to an elbow ailment that kept him on the 60-day injured list for most of the 2023 season, he only played in five major league games and another fifteen Triple-A games with Atlanta last season.
Adrianza was a valuable utility player for the Braves as recently as 2021 when he hit.247/.327/.401 and played six positions during Atlanta’s World Series-winning season, despite his ugly stats from 2022–2023 (.159/.248/.187 in 121 plate appearances). Except catcher, he has experience playing every position in the major leagues, including three mop-up innings on the mound. Adrianza isn’t regarded as the good infield defender he was in his 20s at this point in his career, but he also isn’t expected to be a burden in the infield.
Backup catcher Matt Thaiss and outfielder Aaron Hicks, who inked a major league deal earlier this winter, are currently on the Angels’ bench. The other two positions are more freely taken. Jo Adell, a former top prospect, has reached his minor league option expiration and must join the team to avoid being transferred or placed on waivers. Although Michael Stefanic still has a minor league option, he might join the team as a bat-first utility player. Adrianza will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster against veterans Hunter Dozier, Miguel Sano, and Richie Martin, among others, who are also not on the roster.
