Article: Ryan On Suzuki: He Took The Post

[Nick Nelson]

Last week, Twins general manager Terry Ryan sat down with Twins Daily's Parker Hageman for a lengthy in-depth interview that will appear in the Offseason Handbook, which you can preorder now for $4.99 ahead of its November 2nd release.

 

The Q&A session lasted nearly an hour and covered an expansive range of topics. Among them was Kurt Suzuki and the catcher position.Parker put it out there bluntly: "Your catchers threw out 19 percent of base stealers, and had an OPS of .591, which was only better than the Mariners. Is addressing that a high priority this offseason?"

 

Ryan, for his part, was equally blunt: "Yeah, yeah it is."

 

"We've got to get better in that. Kurt, to his credit, he took the post. You know, durability and taking the field when you're called upon, there's something to be said about that. We got an extreme amount of production out of him two years ago. Nobody was expecting that level going forward because, alright he had an awful good year. But somewhere in between he should settle in.

 

"But we also need to take a look at that position, we've got to do better.

 

To some, the whole "he took the post" thing might sound like a lame cop-out, but in this case it holds weight. As far below average as he might have been, Suzuki was the only thing standing between Chris Herrmann or Eric Fryer being in the starting lineup on a regular basis.

 

Obviously, the entire situation points a major flaw in the roster, and Ryan admits that right up front. There is no question that the Twins will be acquiring at least one catcher in the coming months.

 

Will they seek a supplement for Suzuki, or a replacement starter?

 

Ryan's acknowledgement that the true Suzuki is "somewhere in between" the 2014 and 2015 versions doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence when you consider that his midpoint OPS in those two seasons (.668) would have ranked below all but two qualified MLB catchers this year.

 

At the very least, the Twins need to bring in someone who can split time with Suzuki, and a lefty-swinging short-term caddy would make sense in that event. Last week, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports said that "Minnesota is expected to look to bring back veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski," who would fit the bill for a variety of reasons.

 

Here's the Free Agent blurb on Pierzynski from the Offseason Handbook:

 

A.J. Pierzynski, ATL

Age: 39 | Bats/Throws: L/R

2015 Stats: 113 G, .300/.339/.430, 9 HR, 49 RBI

2015 Salary: $2M

Pierzynski is remarkable. While we've watched countless younger catchers wear down and get forced away from the position, here he was at age 38, catching more than 100 games and batting .300 in the process. He was pretty beat up at the end of the campaign, so it's unclear if he'll feel up to returning for another year, but he can still play. He and Suzuki could be a decent – if unexciting – combo for 2016.

Estimated Contract: 1 year, $5 million

Pieryznski is profiled in the Offseason Handbook alongside a number of other free agent catchers, ranging from Matt Wieters (top) to Geovany Soto (bottom). We also examine numerous potential trade targets while diving deep on payroll, arbitration, 40-man roster decisions, positional depth around the organization, and more.

 

All of that is in addition to the exclusive interview with Terry Ryan, which touches on every offseason topic and is presented in its entirety within the ebook.

 

If you're a Twins fan, you don't want to miss out on this. For a limited time, you can preorder your Offseason Handbook for a special price of $4.99, and you'll receive it the moment it releases on November 2nd.

 

Order today, and get the full offseason experience.

 

Click here to view the article

[jimmer]

Suzuki's wRC+ in 2012 was 63

Suzuki's wRC+ in 2013 was 67

Suzuki's wRC+ in 2014 was 107

Suzuki's wRc+  in 2015 was 66.

 

Is he really somewhere between 2014 and 2015 or was 2015 the real him?

 

This is a lot like Hughes FIP trend.

 

Ryan got outlier seasons from Suzuki and Hughes and decided to sign these guys for longer because of it.  They went back to who they really are this season.

Edited October 26, 2015 by jimmer

[Parker Hageman]

"Suzuki's wRC+ in 2012 was 63

Suzuki's wRC+ in 2013 was 67

Suzuki's wRC+ in 2014 was 107

Suzuki's wRc+ in 2015 was 66."

 

Hmm. This conversation feels familiar...

[PseudoSABR]

 

"Suzuki's wRC+ in 2012 was 63
Suzuki's wRC+ in 2013 was 67
Suzuki's wRC+ in 2014 was 107
Suzuki's wRc+ in 2015 was 66."

Hmm. This conversation feels familiar...

Aberration is the new mean.

[biscuit]

Isn't Pieryznski really bad at throwing out baserunners?

[Platoon]

Isn't Pieryznski really bad at throwing out baserunners?

Yes, but it is a well known fact that consistency is one of the hallmarks of any great orginisation.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Aberration is the new mean.

This.  This right here.  Wait, what?
 

[HitInAPinch]

I'd be on board with adding Pierzynski.  But what's the endgame here?  The only things we really know right now is Pierzynski, a good as he was last season, is very near the end of his career and Suzuki, at age 32, is being overworked because of no realistic replacement.  The catchers in Seth's Top 50 Prospects list seem a couple years away.  I see there's another topic on Lucroy's availability.  I'm more of the mind to trade for a young and well regarded guy like Gary Sanchez or someone similar.

[beckmt]

 

 

I'd be on board with adding Pierzynski.  But what's the endgame here?  The only things we really know right now is Pierzynski, a good as he was last season, is very near the end of his career and Suzuki, at age 32, is being overworked because of no realistic replacement.  The catchers in Seth's Top 50 Prospects list seem a couple years away.  I see there's another topic on Lucroy's availability.  I'm more of the mind to trade for a young and well regarded guy like Gary Sanchez or someone similar.

 

that will only bring you an overpriced prospect at this time.  Other GM's are not stupid, they would start by asking for one of your top 3 prospects and maybe more.  This is a position you will have to fill with money.

[howieramone2]

 

Yes, but it is a well known fact that consistency is one of the hallmarks of any great orginisation.

The hallmark of a great organization is rebuilding in less than 4 years.

[DocBauer]

Oh the heck with it....once again...a trade for Lucroy would be great! A trade for a talented young catcher with some real potential would be as good in some ways, better in others, not as good in other ways. The problem with any trade...obviously... is what does it cost you?

 

I like the idea of signing AJ as an alternative. He helps. He and Suzuki are better than Suzuki and Herrmann/Fryer. I would rather go this route than pay through the nose for a deal that doesn't make sense. Then next year...with another season to monitor the progress/development/potential of Turner and Garver...we can re-visit both the FA and trade market.

[Mike Sixel]

It's always next year. When does that year come?

[stringer bell]

 

It's always next year. When does that year come?

Should have changed that moniker to "Mike wants wins Now!". Sorry, Mike. Couldn't resist.

[Mike Sixel]

Should have changed that moniker to "Mike wants wins Now!". Sorry, Mike. Couldn't resist.

Ha, that made me laugh....clearly it was meant that way, and not in a mean way.

 

I still have the same wants and desires*, I just decided to be open with my name.

 

*

[nicksaviking]

Slightly off topic, but I wanted to see where Zuke ranked in terms of games caught and not surprisingly he played in 131 games, which ranked him 7th out of all the catchers.  Only 8 of those games did he come in as a substitute as well.

 

Yet somehow he only managed 479 PA (471 as a starter) which is still 23 PA from being a qualified batter. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Just curious if Ryan said anything about Josmil Pinto on that.  His bat was ready last year, though the concussion certainly affected him.  Is the org looking at him more as a DH or does he have a future at C still?

[Eephus]

I get the gist, but I can't recall hearing this "he took the post" phrase. Probably just me.

[Squirrel]

 

It's always next year. When does that year come?

Ask Cubs fans. That's their mantra.

[Bill Parker]

Pierzynski was almost exactly as bad in 2014 as Suzuki was in 2015, and will be 39. A strict platoon between the two wouldn't be that bad if every other reasonable possibility fell through, I suppose.

[Mike Sixel]

Ya, I don't get the AJ love for next year, frankly.

[dougd]

In terms of allowing baserunners to advance an extra base by a SB + PB +WP, Twins catchers were better than the American League average. Well, only by 1, but still, I imagine that preventing the extra base by strong accurately throwing outfielders is more important. The difference between Twins catchers and league average for just stolen bases is about one extra base every nine games. 

If LuCroy had caught as many innings as Suzuki, he would have had 22 more stolen bases against him (but more caught stealing as well). Weiters has looked awkward to me the games I have seen.

Given the beating that catchers take, I would be hesitant to upgrade by trading young talent. Spend money if you can.

[dgwills]

 

I get the gist, but I can't recall hearing this "he took the post" phrase. Probably just me.

Horse racing?

[HitInAPinch]

 

that will only bring you an overpriced prospect at this time.  Other GM's are not stupid, they would start by asking for one of your top 3 prospects and maybe more.  This is a position you will have to fill with money.

Really?  IMHO, Buying a skilled free agent catcher on the open market would cost far more than making a trade of a prospect for a skilled catching prospect.  If they start asking about the Twins top prospects, why not? 

[twinsnorth49]

So is it a priority to get better catchers? Or get their catchers to play better? I'm not convinced it's the former.

 

The A.J. thing is beyond me, c'mon already.

[jokin]

 

Ya, I don't get the AJ love for next year, frankly.

 

I'm not hearing a lot of love, more a temporary marriage of convenience.

[jokin]

 

So is it a priority to get better catchers? Or get their catchers to play better? I'm not convinced it's the former.

 

The A.J. thing is beyond me, c'mon already.

 

Perhaps I'm not following you.  If Ryan ends up settling for AJ after all other angles fail to materialize, is that still not a net upgrade in 2016 from the current situation?

[DocBauer]

 

It's always next year. When does that year come?

Oh, and I get this!

 

But if someone offers their AA or AAA catcher who hasn't reached the majors yet in any capacity and they want Berrios and Kepler....I'm thinking NO. So the deal...any deal...just has to make sense. And if it doesn't, you move on to the next option. Possibly the one after that.

 

We don't have a Sano-Buxton-Rosario-Kepler quality catching prospect ready to graduate. At least, not right now. And I'd sure love one! But I also don't want to pay someone $100 for the privilege of having $50.

[USAFChief]

 

Perhaps I'm not following you.  If Ryan ends up settling for AJ after all other angles fail to materialize, is that still not a net upgrade in 2016 from the current situation?

Possibly.  

 

Let's hope "all other angles" do not fail to materialize.  That, IMO, would constitute a failure by Ryan.  A poor "plan C" may be better than nothing, but is still a poor plan.

 

And a  team serious about contention does not voluntarily open the season with a Suzuki/Pierzynski tandem as plan A.

[jokin]

 

Ha, that made me laugh....clearly it was meant that way, and not in a mean way.

I still have the same wants and desires*, I just decided to be open with my name.

*

 

Yikes... My google name search tells me that whatever you have to say is fine with me, Sir!

(Anything else one can do to keep you laughing not in a mean way?)

 

 

 

http://www.wisconsinbjj.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/mike-sixel.jpg

 

    Mike Sixel

 

Neutral Ground

Martial Arts & Fitness

 

- Competed in 13 Amateur and Professional MMA Fights

- 5 Dan Black Belt in Pankration

- Ranked #2 on North American Sport Karate Association circuit (2000)

- Ranked #1 in the State in Point Sparring (1996-1998)

[jokin]

 

Possibly.  

 

Let's hope "all other angles" do not fail to materialize.  That, IMO, would constitute a failure by Ryan.  A poor "plan C" may be better than nothing, but is still a poor plan.

 

And a  team serious about contention does not voluntarily open the season with a Suzuki/Pierzynski tandem as plan A.

 

- Yep. Never said it was a good plan.

 

- A little bit better than nothing plan? Probably. (Remember, at the very least, a semi L-R platoon should offer an increase in offensive production at the position, and definitely guarantees that Zuke's 2017 option doesn't vest).

 

- A plan that is quickly determined by TR to be: better than nothing when all other options fail after less than 100% commitment to getting Plan A and Plan B done- and the Twins' default SOP least-path-of-resistance/bring- home-another-aging-vet-whose-defense-is-better-than-his-numbers-indicate-type plan? Likely.

 

So then, I would say that 2016 is going to be sold as a serious team that, basking in their "successful" veteran leadership upgrades, with Torii in 2015 and Zuke in 2014, will go to the well one more time and sell AJ as one of the remaining missing clubhouse/on-field leadership ingredients that will make all the difference in 2016. (Remember, you heard it here first )

Edited October 27, 2015 by jokin