Athletics trade for a former All-Star catcher

The Athletics are taking a chance on an old friend.

The team officially announced on Monday that they are trading for veteran catcher Jonah Heim, formerly of the Atlanta Braves. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Athletics will be sending cash considerations back to the Braves in exchange for Heim, who was designated for assignment by Atlanta earlier in the day.

Heim, 30, was already with the Athletics organization from 2017-20. He made his MLB debut with the team in 2020 back when they were still based in Oakland.

The switch-hitting Heim was then traded by the Athletics to the Texas Rangers in 2021 and blossomed into an impact player. He was an All-Star and a Gold Glove winner for Texas in 2023 and also helped the Rangers win the World Series that year.

But Heim had been a negative WAR player this season for the Braves, batting .231 with one home runs and eight RBIs through 12 games. With Atlanta having just activated fellow catcher Sean Murphy from the injured list, Heim’s services were no longer needed.

Of course, the Athletics have a standout catcher of their own right now in Shea Langeliers, who has been one of MLB’s best players this season. He leads the big leagues with 45 hits and is also batting a scorching .336 with 10 home runs and 18 RBIs through 32 games. But in the event that Langeliers needs a day off, Heim now figures to be the preferred backup option (marking the latest interesting reunion for the Athletics).