Heading into the offseason, the Angels had a decision to make at the backstop position. They could tender veteran catcher Kevan Smith and enter the 2020 season with Smith and Max Stassi as their catching duo ahead of Anthony Bemboom. Or they could explore options to improve. After four straight losing seasons, General Manager Billy Eppler, emboldened by owner Arte Moreno, was ready to jump start the roster.
In December, the Angels decided to non-tender Smith, making him a free agent, news that caught the Pittsburgh-native by surprise, according to a report from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.