The Twins have needed catching depth for several years now. Going into the offseason, the depth chart looked something like this-

 

Suzuki

Hermann

Fryer

Pinto

 

So then, we trade away Hermann, and lose Pinto to waivers. We add JR to hopefully inherit the starting duties moving forward...?

 

We currently have less catchers than we started with. I'm wondering if another catcher will be acquired to continue to build depth. Perhaps Suzuki becomes the back-up, Murphy is AAA depth, and another catcher is acquired? Perhaps a team seeking veteran leadership at catcher trades for Zook and we continue to pursue another option?

 

Something isn't adding up to me.

I think it's most likely that the team considers Murphy the solution and the search is over.

 

However, I have been wondering, did the Twins ever have the formal "announcement" of this trade? I ask because the Twins haven't usually been shy about press conferences and big announcements. I really have no reason to believe it, but it has crossed my mind more than once that perhaps the Twins are interested in a bigger name veteran catcher but the current owner of said catcher is requiring a younger replacement in return and Murphy is just that guy.

 

Stupid thought, but keeps popping up.

We I'm wondering if another catcher will be acquired to continue to build depth. Perhaps Suzuki becomes the back-up, Murphy is AAA depth, and another catcher is acquired? Perhaps a team seeking veteran leadership at catcher trades for Zook and we continue to pursue another option?

 

Something isn't adding up to me.

Calculate again at the end of Spring Training. It would a shocker if the Twins haveonly Suzuki and Murphy as catchers on their 40-man roster at that time.

Eric fryer also signed with the Angels. I'm guessing the twins will need to find a minor league catcher.

Eric fryer also signed with the Angels. I'm guessing the twins will need to find a minor league catcher.

The Twins are in good shape for minor league catchers with Stuart Turner at AAA, Mitch Garver at AA and Brian Naveretto at High-A. Add in Rainis Silva, Jorge Fernandez, Carlos Paulino, Michael Quesada, Alex Swim, Brett Doe, Alex Real, Brad Hartong, AJ Murray, Brian Olson......However none of them are MLB catchers, yet, so we need at least one of those.

 

Eric fryer also signed with the Angels. I'm guessing the twins will need to find a minor league catcher.

 

Fryer signed with the Cardinals.

 

I think the Twins will likely sign a veteran catcher to a minor league deal and send him to AAA as the team's third catcher.  Similar to Eric Fryer. I expect Turner to get at least another half-season in Chattanooga, and Garver should be there too. They did bring back Carlos Paulino who will remain in AAA. But I think they'll add one more as a guy who can be called up if there is an injury to Suzuki or Murphy.

However, I have been wondering, did the Twins ever have the formal "announcement" of this trade?

Yes, that is where Rob Antony referred to John Ryan Murphy as "Ryan."

 

There is no better catcher coming this off season, and probably no other catcher added the 40-man until needed (which is as it should be, the Twins protecting Fryer on the 40-man a couple winters ago was a head-scratcher on the level of Dean).

Drew Butera will probably be a free agent as his arbitration salary with the Royals is listed as $1.1 million....so....there is hope of a reunion!

 

 

Drew Butera will probably be a free agent as his arbitration salary with the Royals is listed as $1.1 million....so....there is hope of a reunion!

I mean, he is kinda the mold for this kind of catcher.  A defensively solid replacement. 

 

I really wouldn't mind it if he filled Fryer's role.

I mean, he is kinda the mold for this kind of catcher.  A defensively solid replacement.

Catcher IS a defense-FIRST position, but does it have to be a defense-ONLY position?

Drew Butera will probably be a free agent as his arbitration salary with the Royals is listed as $1.1 million....so....there is hope of a reunion!

Since Murphy is a solid defensive catcher and you guys like reunions....

How about signing an offensive FA Justin Morneau who:

1) used to be a catcher (and goalie)

2) can still hit with power (left-handed)

3) could provide veteran leadership (did I really say that?)

4) wants to play here

5) is active in the community (I DIDN'T say that!)

6) can host the reunion

Hicks was not traded for AAA depth.

 

Unless and until Park is signed, we won't know if any further trades that depend on this event, such as Plouffe, are in the offing. While relief pitching is what's rumored for Plouffe, a third string decent/veteran catcher could also be involved.

Since Murphy is a solid defensive catcher and you guys like reunions....

How about signing an offensive FA Justin Morneau who:

1) used to be a catcher (and goalie)

Yeah, catching and multiple stints on the DL for concussions are such a favorite combo for the Twins FO.

Yeah, catching and multiple stints on the DL for concussions are such a favorite combo for the Twins FO.

We just lost a concussed ex-catcher (Pinto) whom we must replace!

That's why signing this guy, (to a MiLB contract with an invite) should be a priority for them.

 

Yes, that is where Rob Antony referred to John Ryan Murphy as "Ryan."

There is no better catcher coming this off season, and probably no other catcher added the 40-man until needed (which is as it should be, the Twins protecting Fryer on the 40-man a couple winters ago was a head-scratcher on the level of Dean).

Did you see how long it took for Fryer to land another ML contract, how much the Twins got for Chris Hermann? That's why teams hang on to fringe catchers on their 40-man, because there are very few of them around.

 

Did you see how long it took for Fryer to land another ML contract, how much the Twins got for Chris Hermann? That's why teams hang on to fringe catchers on their 40-man, because there are very few of them around.

Herrmann got the Diamondbacks #29 prospect. Fryer got a minor league deal, like he has 3 of the last 4 offseasons. Neither seem like great data points that you need 3 catchers on the 40-man roster at all times.

 

I believe Dan Rohlfing is a free agent. Somehow I think the Twins catching depth won't be materially affected by the quantity of catchers on the 40-man, rather the quality.

Edited November 21, 201510 yr by spycake

I don't find this suspicious at all. Their current catchers weren't good enough so they're getting rid of them in favor of new ones.

 

I agree with Seth that a 30ish AAAA catcher is likely for depth but that's all I see on the horizon. Admittedly, most non-Winter Meetings trades seem to happen because an opportunity or circumstance changes though, not through some pre-set plan.

 

I could also see them adding this third catcher through a 3 team trade somewhere as an extra cog instead of a main piece.

Catcher IS a defense-FIRST position, but does it have to be a defense-ONLY position?

If a catcher is more than defense-only, they tend to make the MLB squad.

Maybe move Sano to catcher.

 

 

 

Just kidding.  I think the Twins will look for catching depth in the draft.

Edited November 21, 201510 yr by strumdatjaguar

i'm betting nick punto can catch.

Here is a list of MILB Free Agents worth looking at:

 

Adrian Nieto

Michael McKenry

George Kottaras

Tim Federowicz

Juan Centeno

 

McKenry or Federowicz would be the best, in my opinion.

i'm betting nick punto can catch.

He can't reach high pitches.

Catcher IS a defense-FIRST position, but does it have to be a defense-ONLY position?

By the time you get to AAA filler, yea it does. C's who can do both, are starting. We are not talking about a starter here.

 

I feel like this is obvious.

 

By the time you get to AAA filler, yea it does. C's who can do both, are starting. We are not talking about a starter here.

I feel like this is obvious.

There are several levels of non-hitters.

At eight MLB stops in six years, Butera 's BEST BA was .198. career BA=.185

He NEVER got to the Mendoza line!

 

In Eric Fryer's six MLB years, he has BA's of: .269, .250, .385, .213 and .227. career BA=.243

Fryer career MLB BA is 58 points higher than Butera which is a larger differential than that (54 points) between the 2015 BA's of Sano (.269) and Danny Santana (.215).

There is a difference between a poor hitter (Fryer) and a non-hitter (Butera).

 

There are several levels of non-hitters.

At eight MLB stops in six years, Butera 's BEST BA was .198. career BA=.185

He NEVER got to the Mendoza line!

 

In Eric Fryer's six MLB years, he has BA's of: .269, .250, .385, .213 and .227. career BA=.243

Fryer career MLB BA is 58 points higher than Butera which is a larger differential than that (54 points) between the 2015 BA's of Sano (.269) and Danny Santana (.215).

There is a difference between a poor hitter (Fryer) and a non-hitter (Butera).

Fryer may have better batting averages, but you really can't include those seasons by themselves.  Sure, he did hit .250 in 2012.  He also only had 5 PA, so that's not really a great sample.

 

Butera has had MLB 853 PA's vs Fryer's 158.  I'm not defending Butera's hitting, but there isn't a big enough sample to say that Fryer is a much better hitter.  

In regards to the OP's suggestion that they may still be looking for a catcher.  I wonder if after Park signs, (assuming he does) they move Plouffe and Murphy for a more experience catcher/better catcher.

I would think they'll sign a AAA type catcher for sure. At a minimum, it is injury insurance.

No mentions of Wilin Rosario yet, eh?

 

Fryer may have better batting averages, but you really can't include those seasons by themselves.  Sure, he did hit .250 in 2012.  He also only had 5 PA, so that's not really a great sample.

 

Butera has had MLB 853 PA's vs Fryer's 158.  I'm not defending Butera's hitting, but there isn't a big enough sample to say that Fryer is a much better hitter.  

Butera has a big enough sample of PA's to suggest that a cadaver could out-hit him.

NEVER over the Mendoza line in six seasons? Gimme a break!

Is there any source that suggests that Butera's hitting is better than his microscopic numbers?

 

Fryer may not be a MUCH better hitter, but he has never finished below .213 in five partial seasons.

 

May I say that Butera's hitting is not "TRENDING" as well Fryer's?