According to both Mike Berardino and MLB Trade Rumors, Twins have signed 24 YO Joe Maloney from the independent Rockland Boulders of the CanAm League.  The versatile Maloney plays 1B, OF and C.  He is compared to Chris Colabello.  He hit 17 and 14 HR's in '14 and '15.  His slash lines the last 2 years were .271/.347/.498 and .337/.432/.559. 

 

Could this be a right-handed replacement for Chris Herrmann with more power?  He's expected to start at AA Chattanooga.  Colabello strikes out less, but Maloney is a better athlete.

So desperate.

 

So desperate.

 

I see nothing wrong with this kind of signing, it's exactly zero risk.

Nothing wrong with this kind of signing, but most likely will just be minor league filler.

 

I see nothing wrong with this kind of signing, it's exactly zero risk.

 

Taking PAs from Mitch Garver at AA is one downside.  At this point the Twins have a bit of a logjam of iffy catchers at AAA and AA and only the aforementioned Garver, Pinto, Paulino and Turner with potential (more or less, but more than Mr Maloney.)   Add a couple more catchers at AA and AAA and it becomes a numbers game really quickly...

 

Also, yes, it is exactly zero risk, but is it exactly zero excitement as well

 

 

BTW.  Mike B. (and MLBTR that posted that story based on his writeup) was about a week too late on this

Edited October 17, 201511 yr by Thrylos

As much as we want one, judging by the fact that he split time between C, OF and 1B in independent ball, there's probably a very slim chance he'll actually get catcher considerations for his hypothetical MLB call up.

 

I find it hard to believe his defense is passable at the highest level if he's never been able to man the position full time in the minors. He barely even played catcher his last year in the Rangers organization. I think Garver's safe. Not that he should be.

Sounds like the Twins found their 1st basemen for AAA next year.  Here's hoping he can rip it up in the Int'l league.

Considering the Twins are weak at first base in the system (who plays if Mauer goes down --- Plouffe,maybe Herrrmann, or Vargas - who is not the heir apaprant for the team). They basically have D.J. Hicks in the system, who could start at Chattanooga, too. They have Max Kepler at Rochester, unless Vargas stays down.  Remember, last season they brouight back Brock Peterson for a quick look. Nothing but potential depth. He may start at Ft. Myers or Chattanooga, or not at all. Yes, he can catch, but still a longway from making a major league impact. Colabello had a certain maturity going for him, as well as (continued) hunger. But first base is a system weakness right now. Players CAN be moved there, but because of Mauer, the Twins don't really see a pressing need before the end of the decade.

 

 first base is a system weakness right now.

 

No, by any means:

 

Mauer/Plouffe at the MLB level

Vargas/Kepler at the AAA level

DJ Hicks/Bryan Haar at the AA level

Trey Vavra at the A+ level

 

Chris Paul, Pat Kelly somewhere in the equation as well

 

Plus Amaurys Minier and Lewin Diaz are Twins top prospects that will end up at 1B likely as well.

 

And I am not talking about Sano/Walker who people slate as first basemen for some reason

 

The Twins are loaded at first base.

Edited October 18, 201511 yr by Thrylos

Unless Kepler plays at 1B, they don't have a solid AAA guy. Of course Sano (and Kepler, and if still around Plouffe) could be the 1B of the future. Vargas is pretty much backup. 

 

No, by any means:

 

Mauer/Plouffe at the MLB level

Vargas/Kepler at the AAA level

DJ Hicks/Bryan Haar at the AA level

Trey Vavra at the A+ level

 

Chris Paul, Pat Kelly somewhere in the equation as well

 

Plus Amaurys Minier and Lewin Diaz are Twins top prospects that will end up at 1B likely as well.

 

And I am not talking about Sano/Walker who people slate as first basemen for some reason

 

The Twins are loaded at first base.

 

Step 1 of the 3 part TR off-season plan.

Step 2 Resign Hunter and Pelfrey to match 2 year 18 million dollar deals.

Step 3 Offer Duensing a spring training invite with every intention bringing him north to start the year.

Step 1 of the 3 part TR off-season plan.

Step 2 Resign Hunter and Pelfrey to match 2 year 18 million dollar deals.

Step 3 Offer Duensing a spring training invite with every intention bringing him north to start the year.

Win Profit.

I think I'd be spending my time trying to pry Jonathan Lucroy from the Brewers.

I think I'd be spending my time trying to pry Jonathan Lucroy from the Brewers.

Concur.

Sounds like Maloney is a bat-first guy with some positional flexibility. Pinch-hitter or maybe platoon duty with the ability to be an emergency catcher. If the Twins are trying to improve the catcher position, I think they should look at defense first. There aren't a bunch of good hitter that are passable receivers, but there are some that are good defensively and don't hit too much.

If he could hit anywhere close to Colabello, and is a good enough athlete to actually play a decent OF, 1B and be a backup or #3 catcher, it could be a nice find for the bench.

 

If anyone thinks this is a "catcher of the future" find then someone needs to have their job re-assessed!

Gambling on productive players seems like a fine general strategy.