Article: Three Potential Catcher Upgrades on the Trade Market

[dbminn]

 

If I'm the Marlins, any Realmuto trade talks have to start with a top 50 prospect in all of baseball.

 

Gordon is a top 50 prospect right now, IMO. Feel free to disagree

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

As excited as I am to see Gordon, I'd probably make the trade. The Twins SP is in a good window the next few years and Sano/Buxton/Polanco should all be on the field together at some point. JT would be a good fit.

Great post. I've never been really high on Gordon, but I like the way he's come out of the gate this year. I wonder if this would be selling high on him, a bit? Plus we certainly have the financial resources to re-sign Dozier and/or Escobar next winter too.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

If I'm the Marlins, any Realmuto trade talks have to start with a top 50 prospect in all of baseball.

Gordon could be close to that. Here are his preseason ranks:

 

BP 30

Sickels 60

Fangraphs 77

MLB 80

BA 93

 

Plus he's had a great start to the season.

 

But yeah, the second piece in the deal could hurt too. Not sure if Gonsalves would even be enough...

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm guessing the conversation starts with Lewis, not Gordon. Besides, the Twins have more of a need for Gordon right now.

[Otto von Ballpark]

When Lucroy was dealt at the deadline in 2016, he fetched a consensus top-30 guy (OF Brinson) and a top-60 guy (P Ortiz). Of course, Lucroy was packaged with a reliever Jeffress, but also Lucroy was already 30 and had only 1 year of control left after that season.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/rangers-to-acquire-jonathan-lucroy-2.html

 

Of course, that was only after Lucroy invoked his no-trade clause to block at deal to Cleveland, which would have netted the Brewers a top-40 guy (C Mejia) but no one else ranked in a top 100 list.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I'm guessing the conversation starts with Lewis, not Gordon. Besides, the Twins have more of a need for Gordon right now.

Yeah, a Gordon-led package feels like something the Marlins might accept at the deadline, but probably not in early June. Leading with Lewis could seal it earlier...

[Dantes929]

I still haven't seen anyone guess what Ramos would be worth.

     I would be fine with promoting Rupp.   I don't get Garver.    I am ok with his offense since we are fine with learning curves with everyone else but his defense really looks bad.   Almost like he has only caught D3 college pitchers before this and is not ready for major league stuff.   I don't get it because his scouting report says his defense has been very good in the minors.     Give him another couple weeks and if he can't adjust bring up Rortvedt if his defense is considered better and just live with him and Rupp.    

[Otto von Ballpark]

Rumor had it the Marlins were asking for OF Tucker (top 20 prospect) for Realmuto this winter:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/marlins-astros-discussing-j-t-realmuto.html

 

The Nationals inquired about him too, but were unwilling to include either of their top OF prospects, Robles or Soto:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/nationals-pursuing-j-t-realmuto.html

[Kelly Vance]

I don't think we justify a move by saying Castro is 31. Options A and B are that age or more. Still, that is NOT that old, Didn't Red Dawg play until he was 36?  

 

I like the Ramos idea, because if for no other reason, we get to see him in a Twins uniform after that Capps fiasco. But maybe that won't happen because it draws attention to what a bad trade that was. 

 

The reason Molly is playing Wilson is that he has a cannon of an arm. Can't hit though.

 

I like giving one of our minor leaguers a shot, like Nav.

 

Is Crash Davis available? How about Jake Taylor?

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Do canon arms matter in an era where no one steals? I hope not. Hit and frame.

[alarp33]

 

 

 

The reason Molly is playing Wilson is that he has a cannon of an arm. Can't hit though.

 

 

Is this a consensus? Honestly asking, don't know much about Wilson's background at all.  From the games I've seen, I've been pretty unimpressed with his arm/ pop time, and the stats back that up.  1 CS in 9 attempts.  

 

Garver has caught 3 runners on 14 attempts for what its worth. 

 

Garver has caught roughly twice as many games, so teams are running more often on Wilson

Edited June 6, 2018 by alarp33

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Trade for Realmuto. Gordon would love to be in Florida, near his family. Pitchers are so unpredictable. Realmuto is the Realdeal.

[Shane Wahl]

Wilson Ramos and not Lucroy.

[Nick Nelson]

 

Nick, any reason Wilson Ramos isn't on this list? Seems like a more logical candidate than Flowers, given the Rays have already started selling (Colome).

Ramos would be a solid option as well. Good bat, and you might be right that he's more likely to move than Flowers. The thing that snags me there is how bad he's been at controlling the run game -- teams are 17-for-18 on steals against him this year.

[h2oface]

 

Ramos would be a solid option as well. Good bat, and you might be right that he's more likely to move than Flowers. The thing that snags me there is how bad he's been at controlling the run game -- teams are 17-for-18 on steals against him this year.

 

This is way down from past years. He has been much, much better, and I bet that will improve again. And, even if they don't trade for his remaining time this year, he can be signed for no prospects involved as a free agent this off season. Time to bring Ramos home.

[jokin]

 

Don't the Jays kind of need him? Russell Martin isn't getting it done anymore, and his deal runs out after 2019 just like Castro.

 

Yep, maybe. Important to note that Toronto has two other 1st round pick catchers due to come up either in 2018 or 19. I guess it comes down to their willingness to trade off a near-ready catcher for near ready pitching. I would expect that they would covet some of the Twins pitching prospects.

[Nick Nelson]

 

This is way down from past years. He has been much, much better, and I bet that will improve again. And, even if they don't trade for his remaining time this year, he can be signed for no prospects involved as a free agent this off season. Time to bring Ramos home.

Yeah, he has a strong arm and used to post great CS rates, but he also wasn't very good last year after returning from knee surgery. Part of me wonders if he's just not popping up and firing as quick as he did before the injury.

 

I do like the idea of bringing him home, and righting the wrong from eight years ago. If only we could trade Matt Capps for him.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Yeah, a Gordon-led package feels like something the Marlins might accept at the deadline, but probably not in early June. Leading with Lewis could seal it earlier...

 

 

No way I give up Lewis for a catcher. If he continues to play well he'll be a consensus top 15 prospect by either mid-season or at the end of the season once a few people graduate.

 

I'd also have a tough time giving up Kiriloff with the way he is playing right now. If he continues his pace could start next season in AA and should shoot up most prospect lists this year.

[nicksaviking]

 

Do canon arms matter in an era where no one steals? I hope not. Hit and frame.

 

Can't wait until we get robo umps and they only have to concentrate on hitting.

[TheLeviathan]

It'd be easier to have a gameplay towards Realmuto if we knew what, if anything, the team plans to do with all the free budget room we have.

 

I think we should aggressively acquire him and plan to continue to spend this offseason. Locking down the catching position would help tremendously.

 

But if we are going Scrooge mode this off-season it may be wise to keep Gordon.

Edited June 6, 2018 by TheLeviathan

[ChrisKnutson]

If not Realmuto, or Ramos, I don’t think Russel Martin would be all that bad, and he’d be fairly cheap too, in terms of prospect(s).

[h2oface]

I could care less how much a player costs is dollars. It is not my money. It is nobody's money that seems to want to control payroll here at TD. Just because Realmuto has been good, doesn't mean he will continue..... look at Logan Morrison, and look at how fast the demise was for Mauer. Lucroy was so so valuable, and then in one season, he was on the cheap, and went from one of the best framers, to one of the worst.

 

Realmuto is over valued, I think, just like I think Sano is. None of the pieces ready (like Gordon) should go until it is decided what to do with Dozier and Escobar for next year. Plus, banking on Polanco is a mistake, just like banking on Santana and May. It sucks to have injuries, but Castro was a 2019 lame duck (thankfully) before the injury, and now will be a high priced back up. MOY using Wilson for the main catcher is a joke, though. I am afraid the catcher problem will have to be addressed in the off season, even if Ramos is acquired for the rest of the year. 

 

 

[jkcarew]

Trading Gordon would require signing Dozier...or you’re filling one major league hole by creating another...I guess deadline buying dictates that you worry about next year, next year.

 

Realmuto is worth real prospects in my opinion...to be considered now or during the off-season.

 

Remember when we were all 100% sure Castro was going to be an upgrade from Suzuki? Or was it just me? I wish we had John Ryan Murphy backing up Suzuki right now. Sigh.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Just because Realmuto has been good, doesn't mean he will continue..... look at Logan Morrison, and look at how fast the demise was for Mauer. Lucroy was so so valuable, and then in one season, he was on the cheap, and went from one of the best framers, to one of the worst.

 

Realmuto is younger than all of those guys, though. In fact, he just turned 27, and is controlled through age 29. Morrison had a career year at 29, and Mauer and Lucroy were all star catchers through age 30.

[Brock Beauchamp]

As much as Realmuto looks good on the Twins, no way do I pay the price of Lewis plus prospects for him.

 

In this situation, I'm totally fine with the Twins aiming a bit lower with Ramos or someone less than Realmuto but controllable for a couple of seasons.

 

If you can get Realmuto for Gordon plus prospects, I'm still a little hesitant but open to discussion (it depends on the rest of the prospects involved and how many).

[Mike Sixel]

I have zero interest in a rental this year..... So Realmuto, prospect, or what they already have for me.

[USAFChief]

 

I still haven't seen anyone guess what Ramos would be worth.

     I would be fine with promoting Rupp.   I don't get Garver.    I am ok with his offense since we are fine with learning curves with everyone else but his defense really looks bad.   Almost like he has only caught D3 college pitchers before this and is not ready for major league stuff.   I don't get it because his scouting report says his defense has been very good in the minors.     Give him another couple weeks and if he can't adjust bring up Rortvedt if his defense is considered better and just live with him and Rupp.    

I don't remember it that way. 

 

I remember reading his defense needed a lot of work.

[Dantes929]

 

I don't remember it that way. 

 

I remember reading his defense needed a lot of work.

  John Sickels   SB nation   top 20 prospects  March 13, 2018

 

"Mitch Garver, C, Grade B-/C+: Age 26, older prospect but showed potent bat in Triple-A, hitting .291/.387/.541; hit .196/.288/.348 in 46 major league at-bats but showed enough to get more chances; defense has been very good in the minors, can also handle first base; not much left to prove in the minors. ETA 2018"

 

I remember a year or two ago that he needed a lot of work and then though I saw some reports saying he had made great strides.    Depends on who you ask I'm guessing.  I thought he looked pretty bad again tonight.     

[diehardtwinsfan]

Garver was the runner up to Stewart Turner for the Johnny Bench award in college. That award is given to defenders interestingly enough. Sounds like there's a pretty big gap between good college defenders and good pro defenders.

[Kelly Vance]

 

Is this a consensus? Honestly asking, don't know much about Wilson's background at all.  From the games I've seen, I've been pretty unimpressed with his arm/ pop time, and the stats back that up.  1 CS in 9 attempts.  

 

Garver has caught 3 runners on 14 attempts for what its worth. 

 

Garver has caught roughly twice as many games, so teams are running more often on Wilson

Im just saying he has a cannon.    And notice I said reason, singular. Can't be his hitting, his framing, or his athletic ability. And I agree Garver is better. But he can't catch every day.