Rumor: Rosenthal: Twins 1 of 6 teams in on Christian Vazquez

[Musk21]

In his latest article on The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal lists the Twins as one of the six teams that are in on 32 year old FA catcher Christian Vazquez. Other teams listed include Cubs, Cardinals, Padres, Guardians, and Astros (albeit in a platoon role).

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[tony&rodney]

Vasquez would be a solid addition and cost nothing. Yes, I would prefer Sean Murphy but Vazquez is pretty good for a pickup to split duties with Jeffers.

[Doctor Gast]

Please no, won't solve much

[Muppet]

He looks like he has good numbers against lefties. So add him to the Kyles and Miranda and the Twins will have a unique ability to slaughter 25% of the pitchers out there.  

[DocBauer]

Not saying he's a bad ballplayer, but why? Narvaez is 2 years younger, hits LH, has slightly better career slash line numbers, and had the same career WAR. 

If the Twins like Vazquez better, that's fine. I just don't see where he's the better choice.

[dxpavelka]

Not that much difference between them but on a team that scored less than 700 runs last year I'm having a hard time getting past Narvaez' .206 batting average last year.

[TopGunn#22]

dxpavelka, I think his .206 BA last year was on abberation.  Historically, he's been a better hitter than that.  I like that Narvaez is a LH hitter and as a result, he would get the majority of the innings behind the dish.  I'm giving Jeffers one more year to prove it.  Actually, his 13.0 value on BTV means he should be dealt THIS year before his value completely craters.  

[bighat]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Not saying he's a bad ballplayer, but why? Narvaez is 2 years younger, hits LH, has slightly better career slash line numbers, and had the same career WAR. 

If the Twins like Vazquez better, that's fine. I just don't see where he's the better choice.

Twins already have one catcher hitting .202, probably best that we go after the guy (Vazquez) who hit .274, don't you think? 

[Heistyman]

19 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Vasquez would be a solid addition and cost nothing. Yes, I would prefer Sean Murphy but Vazquez is pretty good for a pickup to split duties with Jeffers.

The dude can catch 140 games if Jeffers is a bust.  I realize he doesn't have alot of sting in his bat but a good game caller and defensive catcher who's athletic.  I lot to like about Vazquez.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Looking at the Twins landscape right now, what should the Twins pay to land Vasquez?

You are talking a 3-4 year contract for a 32 year old catcher.  He would probably play 80-90 games/year for us.

There is a market for him.  Personally I would go 2/$20m with a 3rd year team option for $12m at the most.

[DocBauer]

5 hours ago, bighat said:

Twins already have one catcher hitting .202, probably best that we go after the guy (Vazquez) who hit .274, don't you think? 

Oh, I'm perfectly happy with Vasquez!

I just felt Narvaez made more immediate sense; 2yrs younger, hits LH to form a quasi-platoon with Jeffers. Despite a poor 2022, Narvaez has slightly better offensive numbers, including a bit more power. So he just felt like the guy the FO would targer, IMO.

Vasquez would be a great signing.

[tony&rodney]

11 hours ago, Heistyman said:

The dude can catch 140 games if Jeffers is a bust.  I realize he doesn't have alot of sting in his bat but a good game caller and defensive catcher who's athletic.  I lot to like about Vazquez.

Exactly.

[DJL44]

Vazquez will make the pitching better. It might be the cheapest way to improve the rotation and the bullpen.

[CRF]

According to Doogie, the Twins have made an offer to get Vasquez. We'll see what happens. 

[JD-TWINS]

On 12/6/2022 at 1:36 PM, DocBauer said:

Oh, I'm perfectly happy with Vasquez!

I just felt Narvaez made more immediate sense; 2yrs younger, hits LH to form a quasi-platoon with Jeffers. Despite a poor 2022, Narvaez has slightly better offensive numbers, including a bit more power. So he just felt like the guy the FO would targer, IMO.

Vasquez would be a great signing.

Sign one of them!!! ………can’t imagine either would cost more than $8-$9M/yr for 3 years.

Mets have signed their 5th starter - makes a qualifying offer for Bassitt pretty low priority for them. He was the most consistent starter on a team that win 101 games - he’s aging but don’t understand the Met’s approach with staff? TWINS should offer Bassitt $23/yr. for 3yrs.

I read N. Cruz had an eye problem for over a year……relatively recent surgery to correct. MAYBE worth a $3 million (plus $3-$4 million in incentives) contract for a year? Big upside potential for a RH DH & pinch hitter. Him or Garlick, what sounds better? Great glue guy in clubhouse.

Sign M. Fulmer for 2 yrs. at $8M/yr.

Farmer is an adequate bridge to our youth SS possibilities!

We can afford this path - get it done!!

Bassitt allows Maeda to start the year and possibly remains in the bullpen……..extend him & Gray if they are pitching well in June!

[lecroy24fan]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

 

Mets have signed their 5th starter - makes a qualifying offer for Bassitt pretty low priority for them. He was the most consistent starter on a team that win 101 games - he’s aging but don’t understand the Met’s approach with staff? TWINS should offer Bassitt $23/yr. for 3yrs.

 

Bassitt declined the QO. Twins would still have to give up a draft pick to sign him. However I would do it. i think $23M is a little high though.

[JD-TWINS]

15 hours ago, lecroy24fan said:

Bassitt declined the QO. Twins would still have to give up a draft pick to sign him. However I would do it. i think $23M is a little high though.

Rosenthal &/or some other professional pundit stated they thought it would take $67M total for 3 years……….went a tick higher to make it happen. If we could trade the draft pick & had to pay what some other team signed him for, we would/should do it in a heartbeat.

[lecroy24fan]

6 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Rosenthal &/or some other professional pundit stated they thought it would take $67M total for 3 years……….went a tick higher to make it happen. If we could trade the draft pick & had to pay what some other team signed him for, we would/should do it in a heartbeat.

It ended up being $63M today. Kinda of surprised but not really since pitchers are getting massively overpaid for playing in less than a teams 20% of teams games.