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Catcher from Blue Jays' World Series roster, Tyler Heineman, inks deal with the Angels

Former fan favourite has a place to play in 2027.
ByMatthew Sookram
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Aug 14, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Tyler Heineman (31) greets pitcher Luke Murphy (72) after recording the third out of the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Aug 14, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Tyler Heineman (31) greets pitcher Luke Murphy (72) after recording the third out of the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tyler Heineman is staying on the West Coast. The former Toronto Blue Jays' fan favourite has signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the LA Angels.

The 35-year-old finished the 2026 campaign with the Angels after the Blue Jays cut ties with Heineman part with through the year. He was coming off his best MLB season in 2025, but wasn't able to replicate those numbers in 2026 - eventually being replaced by upcoming rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela.

In 64 games with the Blue Jays in 2025, Heineman hit .289/.361/.416 with three home runs. He posted a 2.1 fWAR as he formed a formidable backstop duo with Alejandro Kirk. Not only was he great at the dish, but Heineman posted plus-10 DRS and plus-7 FRV in 424.2 innings behind the plate.

He turned that production into his first million dollar MLB contract in the offseason. Heineman earned $1.23 million, avoiding arbitration to be Toronto's backup catcher again for 2026. But just a few weeks into the season he was thrust into a starting role after Alejandro Kirk went down with an injury.

Heineman never managed to lock down the starters role though. He hit .127/.173/.183 over 29 games with 18 strikeouts and one walk. The Blue Jays DFA'd Heineman on Jun. 12, and then traded him for cash considerations on Jun. 17 to the Angels when Kirk returned from injury.

It was a disappointing end to Heineman's tenure in Toronto. There was always going to be some sentimental value attached to a guy who played a key role in the Blue Jays' run to the World Series. But that sentiment dissolves quickly in a results based business.

Tyler Heineman has a chance to play the mentorship role for Angels' Moisés Ballesteros

The Angles clearly saw something they liked out of Heineman after they picked him up from Toronto. He hit .192/.238/.232 with no home runs in 46 games played. But they have 23-year-old Moisés Ballesteros slated to be their number one catcher after picking him up in a trade with the Cubs at last year's trade deadline. That mean's Heineman will get to play the mentorship role as the Angels hope Ballesteros can develop into a core piece.

It will be the sixth MLB franchise that Heineman has played for. He made his MLB debut with the Marlins in 2019 and since then has bounced around between the Giants, Pirates, Red Sox and Blue Jays.

This feels like a really good spot for Heineman who can come in and spell Ballesteros when needed. As a primarily glove-first catcher, Heinemann will be looked upon to impart all of his defensive wisdom on the Venezeulan native who posted a minus-2 FRV and minus-1 DRS in 200.1 innings so far at the MLB level.

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