I've been on this bandwagon for a while now.

 

While I have absolutely no objection whatsoever to going out and making an aggressive move for a young catcher, not being able to fully pinpoint exactly who that guy should be, much less the cost, I feel that for at least 1 season, though it might take and make sense for a 2 year deal, the signing of AJ is the smart move. 

 

As you state, his throwing and overall defense are still solid. He actually hit this season above his career norms. Even with regression, he would be a better than average hitter, with some power, and a perfect compliment to Suzuki.

 

Further, his veteran presence as a backstop shouldn't be ignored. This provides a pair of veterans to help manage the staff. It improves the offense, and AJ even offers a decent PH option when not in the starting lineup. His signing allows tradeable assets to be used elsewhere, and allows at least one more season to see if the Twins actually have some viable young options in Turner and Garver in the system.

I think this decision would depend on whether one thinks the team is going to proceed as a legitimate contender next year, or still be in a youth/rebuilding mode. Some will say both. IMHO they are still strictly in a youth movement. Adding yet another 40 yr old seems a step backward. And it will effectively block a Turner for coming up in mid season. The Twons just do not acquire a FA and then move him in season. Trade Kurt in mid season? Possible, but it would be out of the norm. I have no idea what the real status of Pinto is. But it seems the Twins have catchers who can either catch, or hit, but not both. While AJ can do some of each, this team does not need to delve further into the geriatric ward for players. I would rather a Turner gets his feet wet, or a Pinto be able to return to catching than sign yet another stopgap.

I think this decision would depend on whether one thinks the team is going to proceed as a legitimate contender next year, or still be in a youth/rebuilding mode. Some will say both. IMHO they are still strictly in a youth movement. Adding yet another 40 yr old seems a step backward. And it will effectively block a Turner for coming up in mid season. The Twons just do not acquire a FA and then move him in season. Trade Kurt in mid season? Possible, but it would be out of the norm. I have no idea what the real status of Pinto is. But it seems the Twins have catchers who can either catch, or hit, but not both. While AJ can do some of each, this team does not need to delve further into the geriatric ward for players. I would rather a Turner gets his feet wet, or a Pinto be able to return to catching than sign yet another stopgap.

 

I'll disagree with this strongly. After the season Turner had last year (and his pro results to date) under no circumstances would he be considered in 2016 at the big league level. Further, A.J. is not cut from the Torii mold. On a one or two year deal, he absolutely fits a strategy of winning. He still contributes at a high level both offensively and defensively. Should the Twins see an emergence from a younger catcher within the org, he also blocks no one.

 

Also, remember as the article states, Pierzynski's acquisition would be only under the assumption a trade for a young backstop to go into the future with, doesn't take place.

I'll disagree with this strongly. After the season Turner had last year (and his pro results to date) under no circumstances would he be considered in 2016 at the big league level. Further, A.J. is not cut from the Torii mold. On a one or two year deal, he absolutely fits a strategy of winning. He still contributes at a high level both offensively and defensively. Should the Twins see an emergence from a younger catcher within the org, he also blocks no one.

 

Also, remember as the article states, Pierzynski's acquisition would be only under the assumption a trade for a young backstop to go into the future with, doesn't take place.

I really was not comparing AJ to Hunter as to talent or disposition. I was strictly referring to the Twins status as a team that should be rebuilding from within via youth. As to Turner specifically, I like most others here have not seen him play. All I can go by is that more than one analysis has his defense as major league ready, and his offense as not. Based on that, as long as Suzuki is in the mix, having a good defensive catcher a couple times a week would not hurt. Having an AJ/Kurt kombo should not preclude a younger catcher surfacing, but it will in effect do just that for the duration of their contracts. I base that opinion on what the Twins history of dealing with veteran FA has been, not what I, or anyone else, thinks it should be. There are a few rare rentals they have been let go in mid season, but as a rule a winter FA is here for the duration. Ryan has made his position clear on that quite often. I agree totally that catching is a problem, but would prefer that we keep the number of veteran catchers well below 2!

 

I really was not comparing AJ to Hunter as to talent or disposition. I was strictly referring to the Twins status as a team that should be rebuilding from within via youth. As to Turner specifically, I like most others here have not seen him play. All I can go by is that more than one analysis has his defense as major league ready, and his offense as not. Based on that, as long as Suzuki is in the mix, having a good defensive catcher a couple times a week would not hurt. Having an AJ/Kurt kombo should not preclude a younger catcher surfacing, but it will in effect do just that for the duration of their contracts. I base that opinion on what the Twins history of dealing with veteran FA has been, not what I, or anyone else, thinks it should be. There are a few rare rentals they have been let go in mid season, but as a rule a winter FA is here for the duration. Ryan has made his position clear on that quite often. I agree totally that catching is a problem, but would prefer that we keep the number of veteran catchers well below 2!

 

Part of the problem in pairing Turner with Zuk is what you aren't accomplishing. Suzuki isn't good defensively, he's horrible, and he's well below average offensively. Turner is borderline terrible offensively (at least as he'd be extrapolated immediately to MLB) despite his defensive aptitude. What your suggesting being in favor of is essentially a younger Drew Butera.

 

Butera played here behind Mauer. He plays behind Salvador Perez now. You can't have an automatic out in both of your catchers offensively. A.J. is an ideal platoon partner for Suzuki if you aren't making a trade to get a long term answer.