5 Potential Catcher Trade Targets

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota’s trade deadline shopping list should include multiple pitchers, but that doesn’t mean other parts of the roster can’t be addressed. Here are five veteran catchers expected to be available at the deadline.

 

Ryan Jeffers’ recent thumb surgery will sideline him for up to two months, which may force the Twins to seek a veteran catcher to join Gary Sanchez. Caleb Hamilton will get the first chance to serve in a backup role, but the Twins may want someone with more big-league experience for the stretch run. Each of the catchers below comes with a different cost, and that is certainly something the team will have to factor into any decision. 

Tucker Barnhart, Tigers
Sometimes trades in the same division can be challenging, but Tucker Barnhart isn’t going to cost a lot to acquire. He is a pending free agent, but he’s caught most of his team’s games for six of the last seven seasons. In 2022, he has hit .211/.270/.246 (.516) with six doubles across 61 games. Behind the plate, his framing ranks in the 72nd percentile. He is a backup at this point in his career, but he should be cheap for a team to acquire.      

Willson Contreras, Cubs
Willson Contreras will likely be the best catcher dealt before the deadline. He’s a three-time All-Star, and he’s having arguably his best offensive season. In the season’s first half, he hit .253/.366/.455 (.821) with 17 doubles, 13 home runs, and a career-high 130 OPS+. He is not known as a strong defensive catcher, but his bat makes up for any defensive flaws. Contreras is a pending free agent, so a team is acquiring two months of his services. He will likely cost more prospect capital than the Twins are willing to use. 

Yan Gomes, Cubs
Another catcher to consider on the Cubs is Yan Gomes. Unlike Contreras, he is under team control through 2024 for $6 million per season. Gomes has been an above-average catcher throughout his career, but he is 34 years old and might be relegated to backup duties. His pop time to second base ranks in the 71st percentile, and his framing ranks in the 55th percentile. During the 2022 season, he is hitting .213/.231/.311 (.542) with seven doubles and three home runs in 51 games.  

Sean Murphy, Athletics
Sean Murphy might be the most intriguing name on this list, especially if the Twins are also interested in acquiring Oakland’s Frankie Montas. Murphy is pre-arbitration eligible and is under team control through the 2025 season. In 87 games this season, he is hitting .241/.314/.413 (.726) with 22 doubles and ten home runs. Defensively, he is one of baseball’s best backstops as his pop time and framing rank in the 88th percentile or higher. 

Kurt Suzuki, Angels
Another cheap catching option is old friend Kurt Suzuki. In his age-38 season, he has a .546 OPS and a 56 OPS+, so it’s not clear home much he has left in the tank. Defense has never been his calling card, but he’s a familiar name to this organization. Suzuki should cost very little to acquire. 

Do you think the Twins should target any of these catchers before the deadline? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[Doctor Gast]

Catching is a big need especially now that Jeffers is down for most of the season and IMO we could use an upgrade from Jeffers. I expect that OAK would want a ridiculous amount if they are going let Murphy go. I believe it would be much easier to deal with the Cubs. So I'd like a Contreras, Robertson and possible Stroman deal. Although I'd like a proven this year production front line SP, If we can't land Montas, Castillio or Mahle and Stroman trend is up I'd really consider him. The others are a no vote.

[Rosterman]

I felt the Twins should've figured out a way to grab this guy when they were trading with the Padres.

LUIS CAMPUSANO

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=campus002lui

[ashbury]

5 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

I felt the Twins should've figured out a way to grab this guy when they were trading with the Padres.

LUIS CAMPUSANO

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=campus002lui

"Oh, hai.  We gots a closer to trade.  We can has your #2 prospect for him?  'Kthxbye."

[Blyleven2011]

If trading with Oakland  ,,, I would be interested in Murphy  and a relief pitcher like puk  ....

Still not convinced that montas is completely healthy and might break down again before the season is over 

[operation mindcrime]

Why trade prospects for Sean Murphy when we can just sign John Ryan Murphy?

[MTV]

7 hours ago, Rosterman said:

I felt the Twins should've figured out a way to grab this guy when they were trading with the Padres.

LUIS CAMPUSANO

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=campus002lui

If they send enough to San Diego (A.K.A. Max Kepler or Trevor Larnach) and eat Blake Snell’s contract that seems possible

[MTV]

2 more catchers available would be Omar Narvaez and Christian Vasquez. The Brewers seem alright with Caratini and Severino in a platoon role and the Red Sox are falling farther out of the playoff race. Both are on expiring contracts and would be solid improvements to Gary Sanchez.

[Heistyman]

Elias Diaz from Colorado might be someone you could get cheap as he is not living up to a new 3 yr deal.  Although the AAV is not so huge the Twins couldn't take it on.

[IndianaTwin]

Gabriel Moreno hit .276 when he was up for Toronto, and they won’t trade him. WIth him and Alejandro Kirk, it wouldn’t be surprising if Danny Jansen was available. He’s hitting way, way, way above his career numbers, which are slightly below average, but was pretty highly regarded when coming up. And he’s controllable. 

[Karbo]

They can add any catcher they want and it wont help that much unless they get some better pitching. 2 arms in the pen are a must, and another good starter would be more important than a catcher IMHO.

[Whitey333]

Catching definitely needs an upgrade.  People act as if Jeffers is a superstar.  My god he's hitting .214 with 7 home runs and 25 RBI.  He's struck out 58 times which translates to about 31% of time.  Plus he's poor defensively.  He's worth keeping but I sure think at some point we could find someone better.  Our catching over all offensively and defensively is well below average.  Much like our pitching staff.  Pitching must be added if Twins have any chance