Article: Suzuki Scare Exposes Abysmal Catcher Depth

[Nick Nelson]

Roller coasters can be scary. No moment in Wednesday night's roller coaster 12-inning victory against the Royals was scarier than in the 10th when Kurt Suzuki reached up the third base line to catch a wayward toss from Blaine Boyer and got railed by incoming speedster Jarrod Dyson, who was attempting the score the winning run.

 

Suzuki caught the ball, got the out, and then struggled to stand up as he grasped his knee in pain. He needed to be helped off the field.

 

Twins fans watched it all go down with a feeling of dread -- not only over Suzuki's well being, but also over the thought of trying to chase down a wild card spot without a major-league caliber player available at one of the field's most important positions.Thankfully, Suzuki was diagnosed with only a bruised knee and he's not expected to miss extended time. But the scare highlights a grim reality: this organization is bereft of catching talent.

 

If Suzuki's injury were serious, the Twins would be forced to rely on a combination of Chris Herrmann and Eric Fryer, two players that have proven through numerous opportunities that they simply don't belong in the big leagues. Herrmann is a mediocre defender with a .185/.250/.286 career slash line in the majors, and he's the better of the two, which tells you all you need to know.

 

There's no help in the minors. Josmil Pinto, who at one time appeared to be Suzuki's successor, has endured a brutal season in Rochester marred by concussion issues, likely removing him from the discussion permanently in light of the questions that already existed about his defensive aptitude behind the plate.

 

Meanwhile, young hopefuls Stuart Turner and Mitch Garver have fallen off the map offensively at Double-A and Single-A after promising 2014 campaigns. They are looking more like suspects than prospects at this point, although the Twins are sending both to the Arizona Fall League with hopes of turning them around.

 

In any case, there's no short-term help available, which is an ominous fact in light of Suzuki's injury and especially in the scope of the coming season. As the Twins look ahead to all-out contention efforts in 2016, they've got a backup-caliber starter locked in behind the plate and nothing much behind him on the depth chart.

 

It's clear that this position is going to be Priority No. 1, by a longshot, entering the offseason. We'll cover all the possibilities for addressing it -- via free agency, trade and otherwise -- both here on the site and in our annual Offseason Handbook, which you'll be hearing more about as October approaches.

 

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[nytwinsfan]

Kind of amazing that Ryan hasn't done anything about this, either in the short term or long term picture. The Pinto concussion was unexpected, but that was pretty early in the season, leaving plenty of time for a trade or signing.  And while Turner and Garver have a shot in the medium to long run, they were never going to be ready this year, and definitely not the caliber of prospects you can count on to turn into regulars in the medium to long run.  It really looks to me like there has been close to no planning for catcher, short or long-term. I know some people will respond, well young, controllable catchers and/or upside catching prospects are expensive and hard to pry loose. Granted, but, first, they can't be that hard to acquire, especially with a farm system full of quality non-catching prospects for which the Twins have a surplus (outfield, middle infield).  For instance, Polanco, Gordon, Stewart, Gonsalves, Arcia, and/or Walker. Heck, even Kepler if the catcher has enough upside.  And second, even if quality young or prospect catchers are really that hard to trade for, then there is always the option of drafting one in the first or supplemental round.  I know, I know, BPA. I generally subscribe to that too. But if quality catchers and catching prospects are really so rare and hard to acquire on the trade market that they come at a steep premium, then maybe GMs, including Ryan, need to start putting their thumbs on the scale when drafting catchers.  If supply is low, then price goes up on the market. And if price goes up on the market, then the value of drafting something that is overpriced goes up too.

[Blackjack]

I think that Ryan and company will be watching Turner and Garver very closely this fall!!!  If either one shows any signs of improvement, my guess is that the Twins won't be doing any catcher shopping in the off-season.

[goalieman01]

IMO put Mauer back behind the plate, hopefully it will revive his Bat. Move Plouffe to first and put Sano in at third. It sucks to say Mauer would most likely only catch up to 100 games per year but would you rather have a good catcher hitting over .300 for 100 games or mediocre 1st baseman hitting under .280 for 140 games.

 

You could even put Vargas at first plouffe as utility/DH.

 

 

[ThejacKmp]

 

IMO put Mauer back behind the plate, hopefully it will revive his Bat. Move Plouffe to first and put Sano in at third. It sucks to say Mauer would most likely only catch up to 100 games per year but would you rather have a good catcher hitting over .300 for 100 games or mediocre 1st baseman hitting under .280 for 140 games.

 

You could even put Vargas at first plouffe as utility/DH.

 

What makes you think that Mauer would hit better as a C than as a 1B?  I can't see any reason that would happen.

 

That said, it's always been an interesting thing but is likely a moot point.  The Twins cast moving Mauer out from behind the plate as a way to protect his health.  In this concussion focused time it would be very tough to move him back. 

[Eris]

Last November the Yankees traded Francisco Cervelli to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed relief pitcher Justin Wilson.  Wilson is slightly better than a lefty only specialist appearing in 64 games (50 innings with a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP).  Yes the Pirates got lucky in that Cervelli is having a career year, but decent back-up catchers are not that expensive.

[nytwinsfan]

 

IMO put Mauer back behind the plate, hopefully it will revive his Bat.

 

http://images2.dallasobserver.com/imager/u/original/7093833/nocountryforoldmenpic8.jpg

[Nick Nelson]

 

Last November the Yankees traded Francisco Cervelli to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed relief pitcher Justin Wilson.  Wilson is slightly better than a lefty only specialist appearing in 64 games (50 innings with a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP).  Yes the Pirates got lucky in that Cervelli is having a career year, but decent back-up catchers are not that expensive.

The Padres also got Derek Norris, who was coming off an All-Star season with the A's, for two good-not-great pitching prospects. I think it's logical to assume that a quality catcher is extremely difficult to pry away in a trade, but reality hasn't necessarily backed that up. 

[bizaff]

Joe is never ever ever going back to catcher

Mauer is never ever ever going back to catcher

You go talk to Ryan talk to Molly talk to me

But Mauer is never ever ever ever      going back to catcher

[Mike Sixel]

why does anyone respond to the Mauer parts? Ignore them......you'll be happier.

 

As for their predicament, it was 100% foreseeable at the beginning of the year......and it is again this year. Hopefully something is done about it this off season, or it could get really ugly next year.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I think that Ryan and company will be watching Turner and Garver very closely this fall!!!  If either one shows any signs of improvement, my guess is that the Twins won't be doing any catcher shopping in the off-season.

 

Both performed well in the second half. The AFL will be more opportunity for them to show their skills (behind the plate and at the plate), but Ryan and company will not likely learn anything that they don't already know. I'd like to see both of them go to Chattanooga to start the season next year, playing every other day. 

[David HK]

Zuke has taken a lot of rips throughout the season on these threads- but you gotta say, especially in light of what went down in KC (thanks, Boyer), Minnie would be nowheresville without him this year, even in his dimished form from last season.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Both performed well in the second half. The AFL will be more opportunity for them to show their skills (behind the plate and at the plate), but Ryan and company will not likely learn anything that they don't already know. I'd like to see both of them go to Chattanooga to start the season next year, playing every other day. 

 

This.... both of these guys got off to really bad starts and turned it around.  Not quite ready to call either a suspect (though I'm not terribly high on Turner personally).  That said, neither is likely to help next year.

[Winston Smith]

I don't think Ryan feels that catching is the problem nearly everyone around here thinks it is.

I don't expect him to do much.

[sane]

Suzuki is a tough SOB that don't need no stinkin' backup!

If he got decapitated, he would stay in the game!

[gil4]

 

What makes you think that Mauer would hit better as a C than as a 1B?  I can't see any reason that would happen.

I speculated a while ago that part of what may have contributed to his decline (especially in contact rates) is seeing about 25 pitches a game instead of the 150 or so that he saw when he was a catcher. Yes, it's a slightly different angle, but he's still tracking a ball from the pitcher's hand many fewer times a game now that he's playing 1B.

 

No, I don't think he's moving back and I don't even know if he'd be willing to try it.

[bizaff]

 

why does anyone respond to the Mauer parts? Ignore them......you'll be happier.

 

Cause anytime I hear Mauer catcher suggestions, I hear that song in my head.. I figured I'd inflict that on everyone else

[dxpavelka]

 

why does anyone respond to the Mauer parts? Ignore them......you'll be happier.

 

As for their predicament, it was 100% foreseeable at the beginning of the year......and it is again this year. Hopefully something is done about it this off season, or it could get really ugly next year.

At the beginning of the year I think some folks thought Pinto could / would be part of the eventual equation behind the plate.  Not sure why but he was viewed as such.

[Otto von Ballpark]

What's Pat Borders up to these days?

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

It's a real bummer about Suzuki, he was actually heating up at the plate recently...

[blairpaul715]

As much as I would like an upgrade at catcher, it is not easy to find, especially offensively. Have you looked at the batting averages of all the ML catchers, without looking, i dont doubt that half of them are hitting below .200............If Suzuki were just a bit better at throwing out runners, I think most of us would be, or at least should be , happy...........He has a low K rate, and for the most part puts the ball in play, which should go for something.............I would like a Plawecki or someone like that, but Plawecki is not an offensive juggernaut either, but pretty confident he is a better defensive catcher.................With all that said, i am a Turner supporter and think he will hit ok(.220 ish) in the majors in the next yr or two..........I am really high on Navarreto who was a Lo A this yr, seen him play in person, and I am no scout LOL, but with a little more experience and 20lbs , i think he has great potential, as a decent hitter with some future power(good size athlete) and good potential defense, but he is probably 3 or 4 yrs away from realizing that potential.

[wavedog]

I would have preferred that the Twins would have acquired another veteran backup after Pinto went down at the beginning of the year, but apparently Ryan is very satisfied with Herrman and Fryer. 

[ashbury]

What's Pat Borders up to these days?

Johnny Bench is just sitting around, probably waiting to hear the phone ring, I hear.

[old nurse]

 

The Padres also got Derek Norris, who was coming off an All-Star season with the A's, for two good-not-great pitching prospects. I think it's logical to assume that a quality catcher is extremely difficult to pry away in a trade, but reality hasn't necessarily backed that up. 

Norris has great first half of seasons then declines. The great first half nabbed an all star nomination. Hahn was a number 8 prospect in the Rays organization. Norris might not be as valued as you think, Hahn might not be a low valued as you think.. Would you trade Tyler Duffey and  an almost major league ready middle relief prospect for Norris?

[goalieman01]

 

What makes you think that Mauer would hit better as a C than as a 1B?  I can't see any reason that would happen.

 

I never stated that I think it would but he has never hit well at first base and what makes you think he would NOT hit better as a C?

 

Do I think they will do this? NO, not for a second.

 

The thought was came from a friend of mine who is friends with joe and grew up playing baseball with him. I do not disagree with it though. If the twins make it to the playoffs and for some reason we do not have suzuki i would be happier him playing catcher than the alternatives. AGAIN I do not think it would happen in a million years

[nicksaviking]

This may end up being a problem where the answer simply is that there is no good solution and we have to suck it up and live with it.  We're talking about a position in which we are jealous of the Royals, who's All Star catcher can't even manage a .290 OBP the past two seasons.  And this is a guy that is often cited as the best catcher in the AL, all while posting sub .700 OPS.

 

Only 9 Catchers have a WAR over 2.0 and that's despite the position being given the highest positional adjustment based on difficulty.  The position is a black hole in today's game.  Basically there are two types of teams, those that have Buster Posey and those that don't.

 

I want an upgrade, but I'm not going to stress about it this offseason as 20 some other teams likely also want an upgrade, and half of the ones who don't, should.

[nytwinsfan]

 

I would like a Plawecki or someone like that, but Plawecki is not an offensive juggernaut either, but pretty confident he is a better defensive catcher.................With all that said, i am a Turner supporter and think he will hit ok(.220 ish) in the majors in the next yr or two..........I am really high on Navarreto who was a Lo A this yr, seen him play in person, and I am no scout LOL, but with a little more experience and 20lbs , i think he has great potential, as a decent hitter with some future power(good size athlete) and good potential defense, but he is probably 3 or 4 yrs away from realizing that potential.

 

Ok, fair enough, but Plawecki is also 24 and has the tools and minor league record to suggest there is a decent chance his offensive output will increase over the next few years. Plus, he may be easier to trade for on the margin, in light of his struggles for just this reason. Now is the time to get him. I'd trade Polanco or Walker + Arcia straight up for him, or something like that. The Mets might do that, or maybe it would take a little more (I don't know exactly where the market is at - none of us do). Obviously, if the Twins scouts don't see the tools for improvement, then don't do it. But if they do, he might be the kind of guy you take a shot at. There are no sure thing prospects, and especially sure thing catching prospects. That's why you need a farm system that has 2 or 3 guys with potential upside, even if individually each has less than a 50% chance of being a major league regular.

Edited September 11, 2015 by nytwinsfan

[Dantes929]

 

This may end up being a problem where the answer simply is that there is no good solution and we have to suck it up and live with it.  We're talking about a position in which we are jealous of the Royals, who's All Star catcher can't even manage a .290 OBP the past two seasons.

 

Only 9 Catchers have a WAR over 2.0 and that's despite the position being given the highest positional adjustment based on difficulty.  The position is a black hole in today's game.  Basically there are two types of teams, those that have Buster Posey and those that don't.

 

I want an upgrade, but I'm not going to stress about it this offseason as 20 some other teams likely also want an upgrade.  

Without doing too much (any) research I would say this is spot on.    A little spoiled by AJ and Mauer and while we complained ad nauseum about Butera he did land on a couple playoff teams which suggests that nearly everyone has issues with depth.   If Perez went down Butera is who KC would be left with.    I was fine with :Butera as a backup catcher but until I hear a clamoring of posters saying they wish we had Butera I am also not going to stress about :Ryan not having a plan B.   What exactly is wrong with Hermann's catching.   His arm is decent and he works hard.   

This all smacks of people saying Gardy shouldn't have played Punto or Tyner when those were his best options or saying Mauer should have been batting 7th (better case for that this year) when he was still leading the team in hitting and OPB so in other words there were not 6 better hitters to go ahead of him.  .     I want a better catcher.   I can't tell you who that is or what it would take to get him so I am not going to complain about it.

[Shane Wahl]

Surprised they didn't give him one game off. Two lefties in a row after tonight.

[Vanimal46]

I'm not sure exactly what Pinto's contract situation is, but if he's eliminated from the C conversation permanently, he's certainly a candidate to be removed from the 40 man this off season, correct?