Travis d'Arnaud is heading to the Angels. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire) It was a fun idea, but it will turn out to be nothing more than that: Travis d'Arnaud signed with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. We explored last week why a d'Arnaud reunion might make sense for the Phillies in 2025, with the club looking to ease the workload on J.T. Realmuto in his age-34 season amid declining health and production (as are natural for a catcher his age, even one of Realmuto's athletic caliber). By the looks of the Angels deal, it doesn't seem as though d'Arnaud would've necessarily been opposed to the backup-plus type of role that he occupied in Atlanta the past couple seasons. He's still going to be the backup in Anaheim — behind former Phillie Logan O'Hoppe, whom Philadelphia traded for Brandon Marsh before the 2022 deadline. But that backup job didn't preclude d'Arnaud from a handsome payday. He's about as good as backups come and has largely avoided injury problems even as he climbs into his late 30s, and he got paid like so. The $6 million AAV price tag is an offer the Phillies probably didn't want to beat, especially on a two-year deal. d'Arnaud hit .228/.287/.359 against the Phillies in five seasons with the Braves, a slash line that feels low for the number of back-breaking he seemed to muster against them, more than a decade removed from helping them fetch Roy Halladay. Someone like d'Arnaud could have given the Phillies meaningful production for perhaps 65-plus Realmuto off days. Though it won't be him, they'll need to find someone who can fill that role, whether the solution is elsewhere on the free-agent market, a trade acquisition or already in house. Must-read Phillies content Give this one the time, because it's worth it: Ty Daubert spoke to those vouching for Dick Allen's deserved Hall of Fame enshrinement — including John Middleton — about his Cooperstown case, his legacy, who he was off the field and a whole lot more. Bryce Harper won another Silver Slugger Award, as Bailey Digh covered. The Phillies lost a key coach on Tuesday; Ty has that news. A 2024 Phillies All-Star is reportedly on the trade block. MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION Key Phillies Offseason Dates To Know 2024 Phillies Offseason Rumors Both Players Acquired In Gregory Soto Trade Ranked Among Phillies’ Top Ten Prospects Phillies Interested In Japanese Right-Hander Roki Sasaki John Middleton Comments On 2025 Payroll A Look At How The Phillies’ Front Office Will Work With New Roles For Sam Fuld, Preston Mattingly Ryan Howard Believes Phillies Can Succeed In 2025 And Beyond: ‘They’ve Got A Little Bit Longer Runway Than We Did’ MLB Apparently Called The Phillies Over Bryce Harper’s Opening Day Cleats In 2019 Would The Phillies Meet These Predicted Price Tags For Two Free-Agent Relievers? Report: Phillies Expected To “Strongly” Pursue Juan Soto Subscribe To Phillies Nation On Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbXhSA5erj0&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.philliesnation.com%2F&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ