CHICAGO -- Given the Cubs¡¯ need for catching depth this offseason, Matt Thaiss became a logical target for the North Siders after the Angels cut ties with him last week. Chicago officially added Thaiss to the fold on Wednesday.

The Cubs acquired Thaiss in exchange for a cash consideration from the Angels, who designated the catcher for assignment on Thursday. In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Chicago designated right-hander Trey Wingenter for assignment.

The Cubs entered this offseason with Miguel Amaya as the lone catcher on the 40-man roster and made it a goal to build up the catching depth this winter. One of Chicago¡¯s potential targets, veteran Travis d¡¯Arnaud, signed a two-year deal with the Angels in free agency on Nov. 12, moving Thaiss to the roster bubble.

After Los Angeles signed free-agent infielder Kevin Newman, the Angels designated Thaiss for assignment. Thaiss is out of Minor League options and eligible for arbitration, but also under control through 2027. If the Cubs do not reel in another catcher (Carson Kelly and Danny Jansen are possible fits in free agency), Thaiss offers a built-in contingency plan.

Thaiss, 29, spent the last two seasons as the Angels¡¯ backup catcher, following a multi-year transition to the position he played in college at the University of Virginia. After being picked in the first round (No. 16 overall) in the 2016 Draft, Thaiss focused on first base until adding third to the mix as a Minor Leaguer in ¡®19. By the ¡®21 campaign, Thaiss began a move back behind the plate.

Last season, Thaiss rated as an above-average blocker (four blocking runs above average, per Statcast), but was below average in framing and controlling the running game. Offensively, he slashed .204/.323/.299 for the Angels, but performed better against righties (.671 OPS) than lefties (.456 OPS).

The 30-year-old Wingenter appeared in just five games for the Cubs down the stretch after being claimed off waivers from the Red Sox in August. The righty had a 3.00 ERA in six innings for Chicago, and has a 5.66 ERA in 97 career Major League games between stints with the Padres, Tigers, Red Sox and Cubs.