Is Castro odd man out?

[Doomtints]

Don't forget ... there are a couple of relievers on the DL/IL who will be back soon.

[Thrylos]

 

Don't forget ... there are a couple of relievers on the DL/IL who will be back soon.

 

Magill for Vasquez.  Moya has options and as soon as Harper is pitching ok, he will be fine.

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Don't forget ... there are a couple of relievers on the DL/IL who will be back soon.

True.

 

Magill is apparently going to AAA for a rehab assignment right now, and is out of options. I guess we could swap him for Harper or Vasquez at the bottom of the pen, but I can't imagine making a major roster move to fit him in. I could see Magill DFA'd instead, if there's no one we want to remove.

 

Moya will start his rehab this week, but he also has options remaining.

 

Reed still seems a bit further off:

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-gabriel-moya-rehab-assignment-begins-next-week/

[gocgo]

I think that we will see a series of phantom injuries to allow Sano playing time for a number of reasons.  First, no guarantee that he stays healthy.  Second, no guarantee that he doesn't go into a funk.  Third, we really can't afford to lose any of the guys mentioned above.  Fourth, having 3 catchers is a great luxury for any manager to have when they can hit.  Without the 3rd catcher, you have one fewer pinch hitters available (actually 2, but you know what I mean).  Also, there may be some actual injuries by then as well.

[Mike Sixel]

They can lose cave, Astudillo, or Adrianza, with few, if any, issues. Those guys are all backups, with people in the minors who can be backups.

[rdehring]

Isn't it great to be talking about the Twins having a difficult decision of what move to make when a starter comes back from the IL?

 

Considering that Cave hasn't played hardly at all, I see him optioned to Rochester.  That means no one will be lost to the organization (Adrianza would be claimed).  The Twins have several players who can play the outfield in an emergency or even for a few games (Astudillo, Gonzalez and Adrianza) until Cave is brought back if one of the three starters is injured.  Considering that the outfield is set for almost all games, it seems to be the best choice to me.

 

[goulik]

 

Or we can stay 3 deep there and not worry about it and simply option Astrudillo or cut Adrianza... I don't think Castro goes except via trade deadline once the season is much closer to ending and our playoff picture in consideration.. certainly not now. 

 

He's not going to get DFAd as he's got value to other teams, and there's no reason to move him at this point until the deadline gets a lot closer. That's probably the soonest.

 

I get your point about Rochester catchers, but the bottom line is that I doubt the front office wants them in consideration for any time as long as this team is in the playoff picture. If we're in the hunt come trade deadline, he might get moved for an RP or prospects if Garver/Astrudillo are healthy and producing, and he won't be moved at all if one is injured/ineffective. 

If I was GM, I might make Garver the starter and Castro the back up before I would trade Castro and risk needing the AAA guys at some point. This would leave me trying to decide who to send down or cut. I just wanted to point out there is that possibility that could increase as the year wears on if the other two keep producing and Castro's bat remains dead.

 

At this point, I see Adrianza as the most expendable. If Polanco goes down, Marwin can fill in for a brief amount of time, a longer amount of time might mean bringing up someone. 

 

Castro's and Adrianza's bats are not reasons to hold other players back or have them sent down. The big question then is whether or not their defensive sides can be replaced. I lean towards yes.

 

Again, In Rochester you have Gordon who is a prospect (admittedly not ready) and a couple guys with many years up and down that provide flexible insurance at multiple positions plus a couple more that have shown lots of flexibility in their defensive positions. (Rosales, Torreyes, Valdespin, and Maggi). Again, I don't see these as guys to rely on but I don't see Adrianza's bat as something I want to rely on either.

 

If Adrianza truly has value, maybe he gets traded. I don't think he is that important to the team though. Frankly, in my opinion, he is replaceable. 

[Doomtints]

 

Tough call. I like Astudiilo but he didn't really hit so well when he started to get regular playing time.

 

Astudillo's 'bad game' sample size is two.

 

Keep this stuff coming though, he thrives off people doubting him.

[lecroy24fan]

First starting catcher to go down should have the Twins calling that team. That's when you trade Castro. 

[Doomtints]

The Twins have the best WAR in the AL at the catcher position with 0.4.

 

If Castro were not on the team, it would be 0.6. The closest team is at 0.3.

 

Of the three, Garver has been the best defender.

[KirbyDome89]

 

No need. They can either start using the relief arms they have (Harper and Mejia) or they can start swapping fresh pitchers through those spots as needed (Harper's spot, I guess, since he has options).

I'd be shocked (pleasantly) if they didn't move to 13 pitchers. 

[notoriousgod71]

It makes sense that it would be Astudillo sent down because it makes absolutely no sense.

[USNMCPO]

The team is already backing off the idea of Sano returning May 1st. It sounds like he has gotten out of shape again while injured. Baldelli is quoted as wanting to make sure Sano gats back in playing shape before he faces any live action and is now targeting the 1st of May as when he will start playing in the Fort. A lot of other things can happen before that takes place in roster considerations.

[jorgenswest]

The Twins have the best WAR in the AL at the catcher position with 0.4.

 

If Castro were not on the team, it would be 0.6. The closest team is at 0.3.

 

Of the three, Garver has been the best defender.

Looks like he has the poorest defensive numbers of the three on fangraphs but I don’t see how it is meaningful.

 

There is no way that I would release Castro. Neither Garver or Astudillo have shown themselves to be adequate catchers over any significant length of time.

 

I also would be concerned about Garver’s concussion history. Releasing Castro and a Garver injury would leave them too thin.

 

Garver should be the one that gets 4 starts a week unless and until he shows the same defensive shortcomings as last year.

[Mr. Brooks]

It makes sense that it would be Astudillo sent down because it makes absolutely no sense.

How can you know on April 15th if it will make sense or not to send him down in the middle of May?

[DocBauer]

I stated before the season began I found the various proposed lineups offered interesting as they pretty much all listed Castro as the starter. I asked why? I've felt for some time now Garver was a legitimate challenger for the starting spot.

 

I have also stated I think the team missed Castro a lot more season that many realize or want to admit. His experience means something.

 

Recently, I also stated I had a lot of respect for Castro, and that I feel he's a better player, with more value, than he or his OPS indicate. But I also felt he was the odd man out.

 

How can all of these things be true? Am I talking out of both sides of my mouth? Not at all. All of these ARE true. But Garver has continued to improve both defensively and offensively. Astudillo is starting to prove to everyone he is legitimate. But having veteran insurance and experience with a pair of young backstops is a great luxury. One it would be nice to hold on to for as long as possible. Thankfully, no decision has to be made today. IF the decision comes down to the catcher spot, then Castro...unsigned after 2019, weakest bat...is the obvious choice.

 

Again, the decision doesnt have to be made now. Cave has options, being sent down wouldn't be forever, and there are guys to cover his role at least temporarily. Adrianza is gone for good if he's the choice. I think it's real easy to dismiss him. Good to excellent defense. An above. 250 BA with some pop. A lot of teams would like to have that. Again, easy to dismiss him. Do the Twins feel he's that easy to dismiss?

 

Let's hope, when the time comes, the moves seems obvious, or can be assisted by a minor IL stint or two.

[Nine of twelve]

I haven't read all the posts yet, but I have to say this: Do not give away a major league catcher. Ever.

[notoriousgod71]

 

How can you know on April 15th if it will make sense or not to send him down in the middle of May?

 

Because I know Astudillo will not be the worst player on the roster at that time.

[notoriousgod71]

 

 

I haven't read all the posts yet, but I have to say this: Do not give away a major league catcher. Ever.

 

What about a minor league catcher such as Castro?

[Brock Beauchamp]

What about a minor league catcher such as Castro?

Can’t tell if joking...

 

But in case you’re not, BP had Castro as the 29th most valuable defensive catcher in 2018... despite him playing fewer than 20 games.

[h2oface]

I remember about 5 years ago there was a player with a great story and a fan favorite in many of the same ways as Astudillo. He was in his late 20's. Even had pet nicknames. Almost single-handedly carried a hopeful Twins team through April. An amazing month by all MLB standards. Nobody knew a future PED suspension was in his future. There were a lot of reasons he didn't make it, and the many fans went nuts. They loved to root for him, and were disappointed and angry at the opportunites that they thought were unjustly taken away or not supplied. Chris Colabello had a pretty good darn good 333 AB season with Toronto in 2015, too. But Cola was done in 2016.

 

I wouldn't sell on Castro just yet. 

[h2oface]

 

The team is already backing off the idea of Sano returning May 1st. It sounds like he has gotten out of shape again while injured. Baldelli is quoted as wanting to make sure Sano gats back in playing shape before he faces any live action and is now targeting the 1st of May as when he will start playing in the Fort. A lot of other things can happen before that takes place in roster considerations.

 

???

 

To me that means playing baseball and timing and all. Playing shape. Out of shape again is a bit of a tangent to get from playing shape? Is this just your assumption, or is there some news and reports I have missed? Are you saying he gained 20 pounds and did nothing physical? - because I have heard/read just the opposite, that he continued to workout under Twins' guidance. And I have only read from the beginning that it wouldn't be until middle of May or so that we see him in the show. Please share links or something if you can. I would be very interested.

[USAFChief]

The Twins have the best WAR in the AL at the catcher position with 0.4.

 

If Castro were not on the team, it would be 0.6. The closest team is at 0.3.

 

Of the three, Garver has been the best defender.

Garver is not the Twins best defensive catcher. He's barely passable.

[Mr. Brooks]

Because I know Astudillo will not be the worst player on the roster at that time.

That wasn't the question I asked.

Because there are 9 positions to field, and not every player is capable of playing acceptably at every position, your 26th player will rarely be worse than all 25 players on the mlb roster.

And, not all players have the option to be sent down without being exposed to the other 29 teams.

If, for example, your "worst" player is only 1% worse than your second "worst" player, but can't be optioned, then it doesn't make sense to give away an asset for a 1% upgrade.

You have no idea which player will make sense to send down a month from now. Especially considering the tiny mlb sample size we are dealing with in regards to Astudillo, who I like, but is extremely far from proven.

[Mr. Brooks]

What about a minor league catcher such as Castro?

Jason Castro is one injury lost season removed from a 2.5 bWAR season.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Garver is not the Twins best defensive catcher. He's barely passable.

 

I'm not sure that's true anymore.  He looks light years better.  And his bat presents a huge upside at the position for the Twins.

 

Jason Castro is low ceiling, low upside.  I'm sure his WAR looks great with a mix of dubious catching measurements, but his bat has been subpar to terrible for awhile now by far more concrete measurements.  

[TheLeviathan]

Cave will be sent down, he's just not getting enough regular at-bats and the team has at least six players with some degree of outfield experience.  Hell...seven if you count Sano when he returns!

 

They'll keep rolling this three catcher thing, but in regular 7 game bunches I hope Garver and Astudillo get at least 5 of those games.

[Doomtints]

 

Garver is not the Twins best defensive catcher. He's barely passable.

 

Last year, man. Last year.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Last year, man. Last year.

It’s super early so the metrics need more time to stabilize but Garver isn’t loved by any of them this year, either. BP has him 17th worst in baseball this season.

 

Astudillo seems to do okay though.

[howeda7]

Should be Castro but it won't be. Once Sano returns, Gonzalez becomes the utility IF'er so I don't see much need for Adrianza either. They seem reluctant to play Gonzalez on the OF for some reason so it's not going to be Cave.