A Look At The Free Agent Catcher Market

He's not a free agent, but I think Derek Norris is still worth a look, particularly if you think Garver can be effective by mid-season.

He gets good defensive ratings, but what little I can find on framing is mixed. He used to be okay, then took at dive in early 2015 before climbing back up. I would be curious how he rated in 2016. If it is okay, he may be worth a try.

Castro will be a hot property and will go where he has an opportunity to win which excludes the Twins.  What about some DEFENSIVE  metrics on the remaining MLB free agent catchers: Avila, Ellis, Hanigan, Hundley, Mathis and Soto?  Maybe a reunion with Drew?  Otherwise, what is available through minor league free agency and the Rule 5 Draft?

MLBTradeRumors reports that were going to talk to Castro's representatives today! They predicted he'd get two years for $15MM. from the White Sox. \m/

I can't say I'm even the least bit excited at the prospect of signing Alex Avila. If the Twins can snag an elite defensive catcher like Castro I'm all for it. The fact that he can occasionally hit is an added bonus. Obviously, I would like to see them go after Wieters. I was hoping they would last offseason before he accepted Baltimore's QO. For the Twins, he would be a big contract, but he certainly would be an upgrade over anybody they have coming up through the minors, and it would plug a massive hole for the foreseeable future. 

I don't see why signing Castro would also mean the Twins are giving up on Murphy? Couldn't they work together (or Garver?) as a good tandem? The Cubs used 3 catchers (not that, it always works) but it's not like one guy can catch more than 100-120 games a year in today's game any longer while staying productive.

I am OK with what the Twins have at catcher, feeling Garver will be up at midseason if not sooner.  Castro looks like an overpay, but would be the best of what is out there for an OK price.  Rest of FA catchers are over the hill and suspect in one form or another.  I would rather find out what Garver has than to overpay when other areas are in greater need. 

Nothing against Winters, but I'm not in favor of a big contract to an aging catcher. I'm in favor of Avila as a veteran influence and part time player who swings from the left side. I'm in favor of going all in on Garver at this point.

He is still relatively young and seems to have real hitting potential with decent pop and a good arm. We're young in the OF, 3B, 2B, possibly DH, with a mix of youth in the rotation and bullpen. Why not a young catcher with talent and potential and a veteran to work with him?

I am OK with what the Twins have at catcher, feeling Garver will be up at midseason if not sooner.  Castro looks like an overpay, but would be the best of what is out there for an OK price.  Rest of FA catchers are over the hill and suspect in one form or another.  I would rather find out what Garver has than to overpay when other areas are in greater need. 

Garver has had concussion issues (who hasn't, especially if you are a catcher) but he only managed to play in 60 games in 2016 at catcher, and only 77 games in 2015. I hope he can make it as well, but absolutely counting on him to be a full time savior for this time is folly. They NEED to address the position with someone from the outside, and Castro would be an excellent choice.

Think Big, or Go Home:  I'd take a shot at Ramos.  Injured, no QA from Nationals.  1 year contract for recovery time plus option year.  Not sure how I'd structure that, as Ramos would probably bolt after 1st year if fully recovered.

Weiters.  Another, 'why not' ?  From MLBTR:  "Wieters also didn’t receive strong framing reviews, though he was solid with his arm by measure of Baseball Prospectus."  Would OK framing be OK for Twins pitchers?  Take a shot at a lot less than the $17M he made last year? His hitting was off last year.  Which included 17 HR's.

Avila:  "Fangraphs' measure of catching defense, Avila ranked second in the major leagues in 2014. He also led the American League, throwing out 36 baserunners attempting to steal. Avila was second in caught stealing percentage, and had a league-best three passed balls among qualified catchers."

Castro.  Probably the safest bet, if he can hit anything.  Good 'change of scenario' bet?

Take a whack at Ramos, but would be happy with either Castro or Avila.

I think it's a position they need a young to be part of the young nucleus they are building. Garver is close and giving on Murphy this early would be a mistake. They aren't gonna contend anyway most likely just as well let the young guys take their lumps like they have been doing with most of the other positions. A veteran backup that can be a leader like Redmond did wouldn't be a bad idea and see what Centeno and Murphy can do

I absolutely disagree with this. Someone like Castro can come in and help the young pitching staff improve over the next two years or so (maybe 3) and then he can also help work with Murphy/Garver etc. It's not like the catcher position is only one guy. But, trusting every single position on your team to young players, especially when they don't have quality veterans to look up to and work with, that doesn't help.

Centeno does not belong on a MLB roster.

I absolutely disagree with this. Someone like Castro can come in and help the young pitching staff improve over the next two years or so (maybe 3) and then he can also help work with Murphy/Garver etc. It's not like the catcher position is only one guy. But, trusting every single position on your team to young players, especially when they don't have quality veterans to look up to and work with, that doesn't help.

Centeno does not belong on a MLB roster.

Which of you is going to spend $9 million a year on Castro for a 2 - 3 year contract.  Mlbtraderumors pegs him at 2/$15 and I feel that may be low considering the number of teams that need a good catcher who hits a little.  Do not feel like this is the correct line and his agents could only use the Twins to drive up the price as an in demand FA is not likely to play here with little chance to make the playoffs.

Then, just sit out FA? And international markets? this rebuild will take forever.

No, but do not spend resources on players that will not be here in 3 years.  That is why I am in favor of signing an ace reliever and an ace starter next offseason.  Do not waste money on players just to get a little better next year.

This one is a no-brainer via the FA Market.

Either you get Wilson Ramos on a good deal or no one at all.

No one else adds any improved value either via hitting or defensively to make any sense.

I would even go 4 years for Wilson for a couple of reasons.

1) He always could hit, he throws out 40% of the base stealers.  A plus over who have now.
2) If/When our catching prospects are ready, you could trade him to a contender that needs a catcher/hitter.

The rest of the FA options aren't worth the ink to sign them from the Twins POV.

Which of you is going to spend $9 million a year on Castro for a 2 - 3 year contract.  Mlbtraderumors pegs him at 2/$15 and I feel that may be low considering the number of teams that need a good catcher who hits a little.  Do not feel like this is the correct line and his agents could only use the Twins to drive up the price as an in demand FA is not likely to play here with little chance to make the playoffs.

You can take Keith Law's opinion with a grain of salt, he was wrong after all about the Twins drafting Jose Berrios....  

I quote: "but I also don't see much upside here beyond a fringy regular unless he can suddenly start making more contact."

Not worth the ink.  Id rather push our catchers instead of spending $$.  Ramos has a better arm and infinitely better bat.

There's a good 3 year window where the Twins can afford a FA premium contract before Sano, Buxton, Kepler, etc. are due to become multi-millionaires. Teams don't transform from 60+ win teams to 90+ win teams overnight. They have to make improvements, get a little better, before jumping back into a sustained contender. 

That is why I believe that you have a 4 - 5 year window before this team becomes expensive.  Or you spend money on rebound players hoping to move them at the deadline.  Falvey and Levine have good track records on finding young pitchers at the A or A+ level.  You try and get one of them thrown in for every deal you make.  I believe in spending in the international market, but make your dollars count.

Not every deal will work out, but the Dodgers and the Cubs both greatly improved their farm system by spending the money here.  

Problem with Holland(who I like) is that he will want to reenter the market after two years, so would sign only if the money was right.  Just do not want to throw money at marginal FA's that may or may not work out, unless the money is so small it does not matter(somewhere in the less than $3 million range)

Which of you is going to spend $9 million a year on Castro for a 2 - 3 year contract.  Mlbtraderumors pegs him at 2/$15 and I feel that may be low considering the number of teams that need a good catcher who hits a little.  Do not feel like this is the correct line and his agents could only use the Twins to drive up the price as an in demand FA is not likely to play here with little chance to make the playoffs.

The Twins want to find a starting catcher who can help their pitching staff and help be at least average defensively. They don't currently have that guy on the roster. We aren't looking at adding Johnny Bench through free agency, but getting a guy who can help the pitching staff grow and develop, while costing not all that much in terms of current day free agency is a no brainer.

Just punting free agency and hoping for the best doesn't always solve everything. I'm not saying Jason Castro is a savior, but I absolutely believe having Castro catch 110 games next year will help in terms of runs allowed and pitcher ERA. Why is that a bad thing?

And I would absolutely give Castro a fair contract compared to what others receive in free agency. If that is 12 million or 14 million (or more) per year, whatever it is, the Twins and major league baseball absolutely have the resources to acquire a player that will help their team both in 2017 and for the future. Hopefully he would be able to teach other catchers in the system something about pitch framing as well.