Twins Free Agent Targets: Catcher and Infield

[Nick Nelson]

While their flexibility on the open market will be largely dictated by their decisions with payroll, internal free agents, and arbitration, the Minnesota Twins will surely be active in addressing needs via free agency this winter.

 

Today we examine key targets at catcher and infield.On Thursday night's episode of Offseason Live I was joined by Andrew Gebo and David Youngs. Each of us submitted our own preferred targets at these positions, and those choices were discussed and debated. You can watch it all play out below, or keep reading for a breakdown of what's available, and which targets stand out as our favorite fits for the Twins.

 

 

Free Agent Catchers at a Glance

The Need: Ryan Jeffers essentially locked himself into Minnesota's 2021 plans with a stellar rookie performance. Mitch Garver will be back to accompany Jeffers in a timeshare, barring the unlikely event of a Garver trade at a time where his value is down. Most likely, the Twins will be seeking a veteran backup to provide some security and experience here, with Garver in a state of uncertainty and Jeffers having only 62 MLB plate appearances.

The Market (This list is not comprehensive):

• James McCann
• J.T. Realmuto
• Yadier Molina
• Alex Avila
• Jason Castro
• Robinson Chirinos
• Tyler Flowers
• Austin Romine
• Stephen Vogt
• Kurt Suzuki
• Matt Wieters
• Jeff Mathis

Our Targets:

Stephen Vogt

Age: 35

Former Team: Arizona

2020 Stats: .167/.247/.278, 1 HR, 7 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: Vogt has a $3 million club option with the D-backs, but because of his poor season they're unlikely to activate it, and for that same reason he should be available cheaply. He's a lefty bat to complement the two righties, and has tons of MLB experience with a generally good track record for hitting with a career .250/.308/.421 slash line in 2,169 plate appearances with five different clubs.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $2 million

 

Robinson Chirinos

Age: 36

Former Team: NY Mets

2020 Stats: .219/.242/.375, 1 HR, 7 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: Another veteran with loads of experience, including in the postseason (he was part of Houston's 2019 World Series run). Chirinos is reputed as a very strong defender and receiver, and would likely have plenty of advice and guidance for Garver and Jeffers. He does swing righty, however, and is likely to be on the pricier side of this pool.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million

 

Jason Castro

Age: 33

Former Team: San Diego

2020 Stats: .188/.293/.375, 2 HR, 9 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: Castro is of course familiar to the Twins, having played here from 2017 through 2019, and he grew into a very nice complementary fit with Garver by the time he left. There's no reason to think he can't offer the same value in a lesser role with Jeffers also in the mix. Like Vogt, Castro swings lefty to bring platoon appeal, and should be affordable coming off a rough year at the plate.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $3 million

 

Free Agent Infielders at a Glance

The Need: With both Marwin González and Ehire Adrianza hitting free agency, the Twins are losing all of their crucial infield depth. Those two utilitymen combined for 300 plate appearances – or 14% of the team's total – in 2020, as the infield was besieged by injuries. And while the starters are locked for next year, Josh Donaldson, Luis Arráez and Jorge Polanco all carry their own red flags, creating a need for multiple high-quality backups.

The Market (This list is not comprehensive):

• DJ LeMahieu
• Andrelton Simmons
• Didi Gregorius
• Justin Turner
• A. Hechavarria
• Jurickson Profar
• Tommy La Stella
• Kiké Hernández
• Jonathan Villar
• Jonathan Schoop
• Asdrúbal Cabrera
• Marwin González
• Eduardo Nuñez
• Freddy Galvis
• Ehire Adrianza
• Brad Miller
• Josh Harrison
• Zack Cozart
• Brock Holt

Our Targets:

Kiké Hernández

Age: 29

Former Team: LA Dodgers

2020 Stats: .230/.270/.410, 5 HR, 20 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: This year he served in a handy utility role for the best team in baseball, and has starred for Los Angeles in the playoffs, so naturally he's garnering a lot of buzz among Twins fans. Hernández made starts at five different positions for the Dodgers this year (2B/SS and all three OF spots), and is a righty hitter with a .263/.345/.474 career slash line vs. LHP.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $7 million

 

Asdrúbal Cabrera

Age: 34

Former Team: Washington

2020 Stats: .242/.305/.447, 8 HR, 31 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: Like Hernández, Cabrera has recent experience on the big stage, having helped the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019. He's a switch hitter who can play every infield position other than short, and has been extremely consistent at the plate. He has a career OPS+ of 106, and has finished within 15 points of that number every year for a decade.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million

 

Jurickson Profar

Age: 27

Former Team: San Diego

2020 Stats: .278/.343/.428, 7 HR, 25 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: He is arguably the best infielder on the free-agent market, beyond the "clear-cut everyday starter" tier. Once unanimously considered the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Profar is still fairly young and seems to have untapped upside. But the current version is pretty dang solid (and versatile): His 1.3 fWAR in 56 games this year would've ranked second among Twins position players. While second base is his best position, the switch-hitter can play first, third, and all three outfield spots.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $9 million

 

Ehire Adrianza

Age: 31

Former Team: Minnesota

2020 Stats: .191/.287/.270, 0 HR, 3 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: The Twins likely need multiple utility infield types, and they're probably not going to end up with super high-caliber players in both roles. Adrianza is deservingly going to be signed as a backup, and paid like it coming off a career-worst season at the plate, but he's a useful piece – especially because he can play shortstop viably (unlike perhaps anyone listed above), and questions swirl around Polanco.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $1 million

 

Tommy La Stella

Age: 31

Former Team: Oakland

2020 Stats: .281/.370/.449, 5 HR, 25 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: Because he's a very good player. La Stella has posted an OPS of .819 or above in three of the past four seasons, and was an All-Star in 2019. He's a disciplined contact hitter with great on-base skills and solid pop. The lefty swinger isn't plagued by harsh platoon splits, with a respectable .261/.337/.365 against southpaws. He can play every infield position capably other than short.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $7.5 million

 

Freddy Galvis

Age: 30

Former Team: Cincinnati

2020 Stats: .220/.308/.404, 7 HR, 16 RBI

 

Why He's a Fit: Primarily because he plays shortstop. Except unlike Adrianza, Galvis could potentially be Minnesota's 1A backup option in the infield. He's been a full-time starter for the past six seasons, and that might deter his willingness to sign with the Twins, but there should be no shortage of playing time for him here. Galvis has been an outstanding defensive shortstop in the past, and has also put in plenty of time at second. He brings an undisciplined but powerful approach at the plate.

 

Estimated 2021 Salary: $5 million

 

Which of these options do you like best? Are there other names higher on your priority list? Sound off in the comments.

 

In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming:

• Ep 1:
  (Thurs, 10/8)
• Ep 2:
  (Tues, 10/13)
• Ep 3:
  (Thurs, 10/15)
• Ep 4:
  (Tues, 10/20)
• Ep 5:
  (Thurs, 10/22)
• Ep 6: Free Agency – Outfield & DH (Tues, 10/27)
• Ep 7: Free Agency – Starting Pitchers (Thurs, 10/29)
• Ep 8: Free Agency – Relief Pitchers (Thurs, 11/5)
• Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Tues, 11/10)
• Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Thurs, 11/12)

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[darin617]

In the market for a catcher?

[rdehring]

Dollars are going to be at a premium in 2021 with their budget going down.  So I bring back Adrianza for a salary similar to last year. It was $1,500,000, wasn't it?

 

The second option for infield backup will be from the minors and signing some AAAA vet with some major league experience. Also shouldn't be a need for the utility guy to play any first base as that will be taken by either Rooker or Kirilloff.

 

 

[y2jjj54]

I would prefer to go with what we have (Blankehorn, Gordon) and sign some minor league free agent deals with a couple veteran C's and MI's.  Put our money towards pitching, bringing back Nelson Cruz, and getting a backup CF who bats RH.

[rv78]

I wouldn't make a move for a catcher. With Garver, Jeffers and Astudillo(emergency use only), there are other positions of greater concern. As far as utility guy, if money is an issue then you have to go with the youth movement now. I know everyone says Lewis needs another year in the minors but he can play multiple positions and will be the cheapest option. Maybe the Twins should quit babying their prospects and let them learn at the major league level. Other teams do it.

My bench would include him with Blankenhorn, Gordon and Wade Jr.

Larnach, Buxton, Kirilloff/Rooker in the outfield.

New 1st baseman or Rooker/Kirilloff, Arraez, Polonco. Donaldson in the Infield.

Resign Cruz for DH.

Trade Sano, Kepler, Cave, Let Rosario, Marwin, Adrianza walk.

 

[4twinsJA]

Garver/Jeffers at catcher maybe sign vet to minor league deal for insurance. Like Adrianza as 2nd utlility infielder, he was best defensive infielder for Twins last year and can play all 4 positions. Then sign Hernandez type as primary utility infielder. Twins FO like to have multiple options, can see Gordon/Blankenhorn/Lewis for callups incase of injury.

[DocBauer]

First, another great podcast! Sorry I wasn't able to join in for this one.

 

There are a couple key points that just make this exercise maddening! 1} of course is final payroll number. 2} what affect will 2020 and financial losses for the season combined with the unknown for 2021 mean to the FA market? And, obviously and of course, all of this is connected.

 

It wasn't stated in the podcast, but I HAVE to believe the numbers discussed and posted here are based on normal parameters and a normal season. If not, then I have real questions about some of the salary numbers listed here.

 

Has anyone tried to build a lineup without BOTH Cruz and Rosario and not felt their knees get weak? I understand we haven't had a podcast concerning OF/DH yet, but it's not hard to project. Sorry, but unless there is a really nice bat to be brought in cheaper than Cruz, how does the lineup possibly compensate for both?  And again sorry, but with the NL now not having the DH for 2021, plus a depressed market, I don't see Cruz getting $14M. I just don't unless the Twins scoff at a payroll reduction and just keep status quo. (understanding possible pro-ration). 

 

Catcher: Avilla is probably a milb invite with a split contract. He might make the most sense. Vogt was the guy I wanted last offseason. $2M sounds right, OK and affordable to me. I'm OK with Castro as a second option for the same $2M.  Otherwise, Avila with a split deal, coffee invite, and maybe an opt out clause. i DO very much like a veteran 3rd option for depth and experience. Makes so much sense we shouldn't even have to debate it/

 

Infield: Easy part is bringing back Adrianza as the #2 guy. We need someone who can bring a good glove anywhere he plays, especially SS. I see no better option than bringing him back at $1M+. How is he suddenly old at 31 when his glove was just as good last year as ever? Offensively, 2 decent, solid years followed by an awful year. 2020 is a curse. I'm betting a return offensively to something a little more decent in 2021. And he provides a fill-in for Gordon and maybe Lewis.

 

The BIG discussion here is the PRIMARY utility guy. You know, the Marwin replacement who plays multiple positions and brings a solid bat as a 10th starter type. All the options presented make sense for different reasons. But I still question the $ values assigned. There is NO WAY I'm paying any of the guys listed $7+M per! Marwin was signed for better yearly average before the world went nuts. So again, can we assume the numbers being proposed are based on "normality"? 

 

If so, hell yeah! Sign the best option you like for $7-8M per! If the Twins bite their thumb at reductions and decide to stay status quo, PLEASE offer Hernandez or Profar or La Stella the kind of $ presented because they offer offense and versatility. But if we are talking reduction and payroll crunching, and despite an expected FA crunch we still can't afford those guys, I'm kind of excited about Cabrera as a veteran bat/player who can fill that 10th man roll on a 1yr deal for $2.5-3M. Like Adrianza, we are buying veteran experience and decent production on the cheap while allowing guys like Gordon, Blankenhorn and Lewis to get  little more time

[Rosterman]

Is Drew Butera available?

[joefish]

I want a ss who can throw from deep in the hole. Range. And a bat to go with him.

[TopGunn#22]

I actually LIKE a Twins lineup WITH Cruz but WITHOUT Rosario.  Give me a Kiriloff or Rooker in Eddie place and I'm fine with that.  Simmons intrigues me because he's such a great fielding SS.  What would it take?  That would make Polanco our super-utility guy in the infield.  If our OF'ers are Buxton, Kepler, Rooker, Kiriloff and Cave/Wade we're O.K.  Larnach could be part of the mix if Sano is traded (I hope so) and Kiriloff becomes our 1B-man.  With his injury history, what would Simmons cost?  What about Jose Iglesias ?  I think we're fine with Garver, Jeffers and the Turtle.

[Major League Ready]

 

I wouldn't make a move for a catcher. With Garver, Jeffers and Astudillo(emergency use only), there are other positions of greater concern. As far as utility guy, if money is an issue then you have to go with the youth movement now. I know everyone says Lewis needs another year in the minors but he can play multiple positions and will be the cheapest option. Maybe the Twins should quit babying their prospects and let them learn at the major league level. Other teams do it.

My bench would include him with Blankenhorn, Gordon and Wade Jr.

Larnach, Buxton, Kirilloff/Rooker in the outfield.

New 1st baseman or Rooker/Kirilloff, Arraez, Polonco. Donaldson in the Infield.

Resign Cruz for DH.

Trade Sano, Kepler, Cave, Let Rosario, Marwin, Adrianza walk.

 

I agree with you that there are other better areas to invest given we have Jeffers and Garver. I do not agree other teams have promoted players with MiLB performance similar to Lewis. He has 33 games at AA with a wRC+ of 88. I have a very hard time believing their are examples of other teams promoting a player with a similar MiLB history but I would be happy to eat crow if you can provide examples.