Front Page: A Case for Signing Yasmani Grandal

[Patrick Wozniak]

With the competitive window blown wide open, money to spend, and a great need for starting pitching, spending big money on a free-agent catcher may seem counterproductive, but it might be one of Minnesota’s best opportunities to improve in 2020.While obtaining starting pitching is priority number one, spending big money on free-agent pitching is easier said than done. Plenty of other teams will be in on the top starters and even though the Twins have built a good team, the prospect of playing and living in Minnesota isn’t always that enticing. Of course, the Minnesota will have to find a way to fill the rotation, but with catcher Jason Castro becoming a free-agent, back-up catcher is one spot where the Twins could spend and greatly improve the ball club.

 

Mitch Garver emerged as one of, if not the best hitting catcher in baseball, and spending big on another catcher may seem unnecessary or even wasteful, but it is a way to add value to the current club. Garver worked hard to improve his defense and pitch framing but is unlikely to ever be better than average behind the dish and seemed to thrive with plenty of rest, as Manager Rocco Baldelli has prioritized for his catchers.

 

With that said, the soon-to-be 31-year-old Milwaukee Brewers catcher Yasmani Grandal is likely to become a free-agent this offseason. He has a mutual option for 2020 with the Brewers but seems all but certain to test the market and look for a multi-year contract. Grandal won’t come cheap and is on the wrong side of 30, but signing Grandal could immediately improve Minnesota’s offense, defense, and pitching.

 

Grandal not only is a great hitting catcher (121 wRC+ in 2019, 119 wRC+ career), but he also ranks as one of the top defensive catchers in the League. FanGraphs has only J.T. Realmuto and Austin Hedges ranked ahead of Grandal defensively and he ranks second in pitch framing. Adding a great pitch framer would further enhance whatever group of starters the Twins end up with.

 

Grandal will not come cheap. He earned $18 million in 2019, in what would essentially be a one-year deal if he declines his option as is expected. Since 2015 his fWAR has consistently been very good, ranging from a low of 4.1 to a high of 5.8, with a 5.2 fWAR in 2019. But again, now is as good a time to spend as ever for the Twins and they should have at least 70 million to spend this offseason. Signing Grandal should not inhibit Minnesota from signing (and trading for) some starters as well.

 

If the Twins do sign Grandal, they would need to figure out how to split time with Garver. Since Grandal is the superior backstop, it would make more sense for him to get the majority of starts behind the plate. However, as mentioned, the Twins seem to prefer well-rested catchers so something close to a 60-40 split in favor of Grandal might work best.

 

Naturally the Twins will want both Garver's and Grandal’s potent bats in the lineup more often than not and with Nelson Cruz taking the lion’s share of DH duty, first base is the best option. Grandal played first in 20 games (16 starts) in 2019 and there has been much talk of getting Garver more reps at first, so that should be feasible. It would probably mean letting C.J. Cron go, and splitting first between Garver, Grandal, and possibly Miguel Sano and Marwin Gonzalez. The two catchers could also see some time at DH as Cruz will need some rest days and is likely to miss some time due to injury.

 

While adding starting pitching is a must, there are other ways to improve the team, and adding an additional piece that is likely to improve both the offense and pitching may prove to be prudent. Plus, there has never been a better time to spend.

 

Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Not registered? Click here to create an account. To stay up to date, follow Twins Daily on Twitter and Facebook.

 

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[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Yasmani Grandal — the better of the two Y.G. catchers (Yan Gomes being the other)

 

Yeah pitching is #1, 2, and 3 priority, but this might make a lot of sense. The lineup will inevitably need to have some turnover, and if Castro disappears, the Twins will need that second catcher. (I do like Astudillo, but just Garver and Astudillo leaves the Twins thin in 2020.) I do half-expect the Twins to make a bid for Castro one more time.

 

Looks like Grandal has an overall favorable platoon split too (career better as lefty batting against right handed pitchers) and if his framing is good as you say, that will help immensely.

[mitcho8]

I'm on board. If (when?) the big money SPs go elsewhere the Twins will have plenty of money to spend on the lineup. To me Grandal (or another C) makes the most sense.

[Platoon]

I could easily get behind this idea.......

[Vanimal46]

IIRC they offered him a contract last year too. Maybe this year there's mutual interest to join a team on the up and up.

[ewen21]

Like Garver, but I think last year might be a one hit wonder year.  He'd be great to rotate in behind the plate and for late inning pop off the bench.  Maybe get him playing ist or DH.  Grandal is a big upgrade

[mikelink45]

No - concentrate on pitching, work with Astudillo, Jeffers, Rortvedt.  These are good hot stove topics, but what he will want takes him out of the platoon catcher discussion and no way do the Twins want to slow down Garver.  

Garver is actually getting to the age where many catchers drop off.  He hit is stride at an older age than most and my concern for the Twins is in 2 - 3 years.  Make sure the young catchers are ready.

[MMMordabito]

Looks at most of the available catchers, and they are all on the wrong side of 30.  I would welcome a Grandal signing.  You could probably just let Cron walk, if that happened. A Garver, Grandal, Sano, Gonzalez, Adrianza rotation at 1B would be completely sufficient.

 

With that said, it needs to be an AND signing, not an OR signing.  The pitching upgrades must be paramount.

 

Sign Wheeler (let the pick go)

Trade for J Gray, Archer or M Gonzalez (if available)

Resign Odorizzi

Sign Grandal

 

The Twins would look well-stocked heading into 2020.

 

 

[darin617]

I would rather focus on pitching than throw insane money at a catcher. This move would make no sense other than it could get the Twins to move Garver to 1st. Why not same 12M a year and sign Martin Maldonado or Robinson Chirinos?

[jorgenswest]

If the Twins devote any significant resources to acquiring a position player, I think catcher is the spot.

 

Jeffers and Rortvedt can not be counted on to be ready at any time this season. It just takes longer to develop as a catcher. Telis has been playing AAA since 2014. His AAA numbers the last two seasons have been good but those come with lots of experience at the level. I wouldn’t count on him as a reliable in any long stretch in the majors.

 

They need to focus on starting pitching but starting pitching plus Grandal would really help.

[jkcarew]

So, the Twins will splurge on a reason to play their second best hitter even less? Don’t know why anyone thinks Rocco is inclined to play catchers at first on their ‘off’ days..when he had the perfect opportunity to do so last year, and went out of his way to NOT do so. The ‘talk’ referred to of utilizing Garver at first more is coming from everywhere...except the Twins organization.

 

Given the other priorities, the only way I’d get behind this move would be if a full-time conversion to first base happened for Garver.

[rv78]

Grandal will be too expensive for a part-time player. Garver should get 120 games behind the plate if Delli plays him correctly, barring injury. Astudillo can easily cover the other 42 games. If an injury occurs both AAA catchers Telis and Sawyer who are 28 years old should be able to be backups. That being said the Twins will likely go out and sign a Drew Butera type to be their 3rd string catcher.

[DocBauer]

This speaks to me as a similar discussion in the Rondon OP. Strengthening what you already have is not a bad idea.

 

But the Twins have something pretty nice in Garver. I would much rather pay for Castro to be back at half the price, at least, and worry about growth and depth elsewhere.

[Mike Sixel]

Like Garver, but I think last year might be a one hit wonder year. He'd be great to rotate in behind the plate and for late inning pop off the bench. Maybe get him playing ist or DH. Grandal is a big upgrade

He was minor league player of the year, and hit at every level. Why don't people believe he can hit?

[pierre75275]

Price shouldnt be an issue. If you guess that Grandel gets 20mil a yr, and we sign him instead of cron, then you are basically not paying Cron 8 mil and your not signing Castro back at 6 mil a yr. So you are looking at upgrading to Grandel at the cost of 6 mil for next yr. Not sure of future years but for next year? I would be a fan. Plus, the roster flexibility would be incredible. Assuming Willians is the 26th man we would have

3 players for catcher

6 for first base

4 for second base

2 for ss

4 for third base

4 for left

3 for center

3 for right

4 for DH

 

 

Essentially the only position player tied to a single position would be cruz at DH. You could make the argument Polonco could only play short but I would be surprised not to see him at second base at all

[ewen21]

 

He was minor league player of the year, and hit at every level. Why don't people believe he can hit?

Did not say he couldn't hit, but it is entirely possible that last year turns out to be his best year.  He looked so exposed in the playoffs and his home run rate spiked massively last year.  Power is his main strength as he doesn't particularly hit for average.

 

Just saying I do not expect him to hit home runs at such a ridiculous rate.  Maybe you do and that I just swell

[Kelly Vance]

I'll pass.  Garver beat out Castro with his bat. Castro is still welcome back, but in a diminished role and I think he will look for a starting gig elsewhere. That puts Astud as the prime back up. OK, sure. We could live with that and really, do we want to spend $20 million on a part time player? Methinks we can use that to get a starter on the mound. That is our priority.

 

If you think about the games where Garver gets rested, Astud fills in.  Beyond that we need maybe 10 additional starts from a catcher, barring injury.  We can call up someone for that or give one of our top prospects a call up for a couple games. We could get by with that and/or signing a defense first catcher for the days Garver rests and Astud gets a break too.  Butera where are you?  But seriously.  That is too much for a part time player. Think of it this way, $20 million for a guy that plays maybe 60 games --, graded on a scale -- is like paying $30- 40 million for Cole or Strass.  I'd rather have one of them because it means more to the W-L record and playoff chances

[Mike Sixel]

Did not say he couldn't hit, but it is entirely possible that last year turns out to be his best year. He looked so exposed in the playoffs and his home run rate spiked massively last year. Power is his main strength as he doesn't particularly hit for average.

 

Just saying I do not expect him to hit home runs at such a ridiculous rate. Maybe you do and that I just swell

That's not what your post said, it clearly implied you didn't think it likely he would still be valuable. He'll be valuable, but maybe not that valuable. OTOH, maybe they'll let him hit when he's not catching, and he'll be more valuable even if his rate stats drop..... Saying he won't be one of the three best catchers in baseball is very different than saying he won't have much value. I'm guessing he's above average, at least, again.

[ewen21]

Please stop playing semantics here, Mike.  I said "last year might be a one hit wonder"

 

Last year was the first year he was a reasonably effective one and he turns 29 in January.  Grandal is only a year and a little more than a month older and he has accomplished a lot more as a catcher AND he can hit for power as well.  A seasoned catcher can do more for our pitching staff than you or I can even quantify right now.

I love my offense, but one place I sacrifice a little would be at the catcher position.

 

Stop trying to play AH HA with me.  I am not by any stretch of the imagination disparaging Garver, nor do I think we should simply discard him.  I am interested in having a solid, established catcher.  Grandal fits the bill

[Mike Sixel]

 

Please stop playing semantics here, Mike.  I said "last year might be a one hit wonder"

 

Last year was the first year he was a reasonably effective one and he turns 29 in January.  Grandal is only a year and a little more than a month older and he has accomplished a lot more as a catcher AND he can hit for power as well.  A seasoned catcher can do more for our pitching staff than you or I can even quantify right now.

I love my offense, but one place I sacrifice a little would be at the catcher position.

 

Stop trying to play AH HA with me.  I am not by any stretch of the imagination disparaging Garver, nor do I think we should simply discard him.  I am interested in having a solid, established catcher.  Grandal fits the bill

 

I'm sorry, but I guess when I read "might be one hit wonder".....that implies to me that you don't think he's going to play well next year. So, I'll ask, which is it?

 

do you think he's going to be above average at catcher, or not? 

 

One of the best things I learned in communications is that message sent, is not necessarily message received. Clearly, I received your message as doubting Garver. Nothing more or less, no "gotcha" or anything on my part.

[USAFChief]

I'm sorry, but I guess when I read "might be one hit wonder".....that implies to me that you don't think he's going to play well next year. So, I'll ask, which is it?

 

do you think he's going to be above average at catcher, or not?

 

One of the best things I learned in communications is that message sent, is not necessarily message received. Clearly, I received your message as doubting Garver. Nothing more or less, no "gotcha" or anything on my part.

I'd say there's room between "one hit wonder" and "above average."

 

Garver put up a .995 OPS with a HR/AB ratio that will be impossible to repeat.

 

So yeah, I think that's almost certainly Garver's career year.

 

As for Grandal, it ain't happening. He'll want a starting job, for one thing.

[Twins1964]

I'll pass.  Garver beat out Castro with his bat. Castro is still welcome back, but in a diminished role and I think he will look for a starting gig elsewhere. That puts Astud as the prime back up. OK, sure. We could live with that and really, do we want to spend $20 million on a part time player? Methinks we can use that to get a starter on the mound. That is our priority.

 

If you think about the games where Garver gets rested, Astud fills in.  Beyond that we need maybe 10 additional starts from a catcher, barring injury.  We can call up someone for that or give one of our top prospects a call up for a couple games. We could get by with that and/or signing a defense first catcher for the days Garver rests and Astud gets a break too.  Butera where are you?  But seriously.  That is too much for a part time player. Think of it this way, $20 million for a guy that plays maybe 60 games --, graded on a scale -- is like paying $30- 40 million for Cole or Strass.  I'd rather have one of them because it means more to the W-L record and playoff chances

Thank you. Well stated. Well reasoned.

[ewen21]

 

I'm sorry, but I guess when I read "might be one hit wonder".....that implies to me that you don't think he's going to play well next year. So, I'll ask, which is it?

 

do you think he's going to be above average at catcher, or not? 

 

One of the best things I learned in communications is that message sent, is not necessarily message received. Clearly, I received your message as doubting Garver. Nothing more or less, no "gotcha" or anything on my part.

I do not know what to expect from Garver in 2020 so he could very well be a one hit wonder.  He's a 28 year old that arrived last year and then suddenly this past season he hits four times as many home runs.  It would be rather silly for me to expect that his first real season (his 28 year old season) to be repeated because he has no history as a major leaguer apart from last year.  We have to be careful assessing last season as the norm for him

 

I respect you for allowing me to clarify.  YOu will notice in my first post I said I like him so I was not disparaging him.  I am just unsure about what he really is.

[specialiststeve]

Grandal is not going to take a backup catcher role... mute point. Twins will use in house guy or find a career backup that provides good defense. Don't overthink the room. 

[Natron]

If they even sniff at Grandal, the faith Falvine has earned since their arrival will start to erode. This implication that this would even be something to be considered this offseason given the price tag that he's sure to command with 4/5 of a rotation needing to be filled would be irresponsible at best and bordering on silliness.