Even before declining to tender Keven Smith’s contract, the LA Angels had a decent sized hole at the catcher position. Smith, along with Max Stassi and Anthony Bemboom, were the only catchers on the Halos’ 40-man roster. The Angels just went from maybe needing to sign a catcher, to 100% needing to sign a catcher by releasing Smith.
I’m not going to sit here and try to tell you that Kevan Smith was set to have a breakout year and become an All Star. However, he was inarguably the best catcher on the Angels’ roster.