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There are several different ways to view the catcher position, and they largely hinge on your opinion of Ryan Jeffers. Has he shown enough to remain entrenched as the 1A fixture behind the plate, or have his injuries and middling performance created the need to find a new catching cornerstone?
In our new chapter of the Offseason Handbook, "Framing the Catcher Market," we explore these two scenarios and everything in between, unpacking four questions and where they lead:
Do you view Ryan Jeffers as your catcher of the future, and a viable primary starter in 2023?
If the Twins want to more or less run back the same plan from 2022, while hoping Jeffers can stay healthier and take a step forward, there are a number of low-cost targets available in free agency, including the option to literally run it back with Gary Sánchez or Sandy León.
Do you want to sign the top free agent catcher on the market and make him your new cornerstone behind the plate?
The top name in this year's catching market, without question, is Willson Contreras, a three-time All-Star who gained notoriety with the Cubs. At age 30, coming off a season where he posted a career-high 128 OPS+, Contreras would satisfy the needs for both a primary catcher and a middle-of-the-order bat. (Plus, he could DH a fair amount and keep Jeffers solidly in the mix.)
As I wrote in the Handbook, "If you're looking for a place the Twins could flex their ample spending flexibility if they miss out on the shortstop and pitching markets, this is the obvious answer."
He'll be in high demand and certainly has his downsides, which are also explored in the chapter. So maybe you want to set your gaze slightly lower:
Do you want to gamble on a free agent who could be your #1 primary catcher, but also could blow up entirely?
Mike Zunino, Christian Vázquez, and Omar Narváez are examples of former standout – even star-caliber – catchers who are coming off down years. You'd be buying low on any of them and taking on a considerable amount of risk. But they'll also bring real upside while requiring short-term commitments.
If none of the free agent options in these three categories are appealing, there's only one option remaining.
You want to trade for a new primary catcher.
Several intriguing options could be in play, with Sean Murphy of the Athletics being the most exciting. The Twins would need to pony up big-time in order to acquire a controllable catcher, but you can certainly make an argument it's justified given how heavily their organizational talent is distributed at other positions.
If you're a Twins Daily Caretaker, you can download the full chapter and explore these questions more deeply. If you're not subscribed yet, you can sign up as a supporter of our community for as little as $6/month and get access to this plus all other Offseason Handbook content as it drops.
Which of the four routes laid out above is most appealing to you when it comes to approaching the catcher market?
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