Mailbag: Catcher Innings, Bye-Bye Creams, Free Agent Watch

I've heard Wilin Rosario is a pretty poor catcher (defensively), so I understood that he was a 1B/DH, and only added as organizational depth.

3 years $45M is a bit much for a reliever, but the Twins have so much cap room in future seasons, I can't say no to that deal. I suspect he will underperform compared to expectations, but at this point we need to improve the bullpen any way we can, so I'd be on board for that.

1] Signing Kimbrell would be outstanding to solidify and deepen the BP for the next 2-3yrs. But it might have been cheaper with financial freedom for another roster addition if they had pounced on someone else earlier. But can we truly complain if they do this?

2] Screw marketing! I grew up on the weird blue uniforms of the Twins. It has its place in nostalgia. The best uniforms they ever had was pinstripes! White, gray, cream, just BE the TWINS! Do the Yankees and Dogers ever change? Stick with class!

3] A healthy Castro can help this team. Especially as a tudor to the impressive Garver and Austudillo, who could also be the 13th man. If Rocco plays things right, and the FO plays things right, do we have to use a 13 man staff?

3] A healthy Castro can help this team. Especially as a tudor to the impressive Garver and Austudillo, who could also be the 13th man. If Rocco plays things right, and the FO plays things right, do we have to use a 13 man staff?

Astudillo deserves a roster spot. If he performs well in spring training and still doesn't come north with the club then I am picketing.

With the lack of long term financial commitments the Twins have, and with the result it would have on the depth of the existing bullpen, I think pursuing Kimbrel would be an excellent move.  At 31, he's not old.  even at the end of the contract we reportedly offered, 3 years, he's still only 34.  For the term of the contract, he could very easily give the Twins a shutdown closer, allowing the rest of the bullpen to settle into rolls they are familiar with and, probably, better suited to performing.  This move would go a long ways toward solidifying the pen for the next 3 years.

I've been pretty critical of the Twins' FO this offseason for their unwillingness to spend money.

 

That said, I'm not particularly thrilled with the idea of Kimbrel for 3 years at $15 mil each. I've simply never liked overpaying for relief pitchers, just as a matter of principle. I'd must prefer they would have found a starting pitcher worthy of (and receptive to) that kind of contract. Maybe those options simply don't exist at this point, I don't know.

 

Naturally, given that I've wanted them to open the purse strings, but not necessarily at the rumored rate for Kimbrel, I think we can pretty much count on this being exactly what the Twins do. Probably tomorrow.

Generally, I tend to have the same opinion; spending big money on multi-year contracts on relief pitchers is playing with fire. That said, Kimbrel seems like a relatively safe bet. I wouldn't mind the Twins overspending on him.

On Garver and Castro, I’m not convinced that either is 100% in 2019. Castro is aging and recovering from a torn meniscus and plays a position where age and injury ends careers earlier than just about any other.

Garver, I think, has a better chance of playing most of the year, but anyone who wants to put money on concussion symptoms going one way or the other is making a bad bet. It’s a completely unpredictable injury.

All that said, if neither can handle the work behind the plate this season, I don’t see the Twins making Astudillo a primary or maybe even their backup catcher. For as much as the fans love Astudillo, the front office doesn’t seem to share that sentiment.

If either Garver or Castro spend a significant amount on the DL, I see Falvine trading for a catcher. If both go down, that might be the only way Astudillo gets a prolonged shot at backup with this team in 2019.

I'm not convinced that either is 100% yet either, but then again we still haven't started spring training. And as much as I like Astudillo, I'm not sure he is the best Plan B as a starting catcher either. I'd rather see him as a backup or in a multi-position utility role, or even as DH on occasion.

With Castro aging/on the comeback trail and Garver on the back end of a concussion scare, maybe it would be in the best interest of both to have Astudillo catch once a week and twice on weeks with no off days.  Maybe at least try it early in the season and then see where the top two catchers are at after getting into the rigors of a baseball season.

Astudillo obviously brings some other flexibility, so his role could change over the course of the season.  He also has options.

Of course, this would likely regrettably come at the expense of Tyler Austin, who I'd like to see given more of a chance.

1) 3/45 is a steal for Kimbrel. If the FO is into value signings, that’s about as good as it gets.

2) Unis are unis

3) I like the trio Twins have behind the dish. Imho it’s been a long time since this kind of depth and upside at catcher.

On Kimbrel, how about 2/36 with a mutual option for 2/30.

• Pitches great for two years, he opts out and we're not on the hook. 
• Pitches poorly for two years (or in the second year) and we opt out.
• Somewhere in between and it turns into 4/66, not too far from what he's asking now.

While I still maintain that "closer" is an overrated role that teams usually overpay for...I would actually really be happy if we could bring in Kimbrel at 3/$45M. there's no question we have the payroll space for it and it wouldn't limit our ability to make other moves/sign extensions. And Kimbrel has been elite. not just top ten in the AL, not just top ten in MLB, but Hall of Fame-track kinds of elite. If he was 35+, I'd be more nervous. If it was a 5 year deal, I'd be really nervous. But for his age, experience, and skill...I'd jump on that one. I'm thrilled we're making that kind of offer, and I find it interesting reports have it as the best one out there.

Our bullpen would start to look like a strength if you added Kimbrel to it. Kimbrel, May, Rogers, Parker as your top 4? Addison Reed & one more LHP? Only needing one more guy in the 'pen, allowing you to have a 4 man bench?

I like this more and more, just hope Kimbrel start to like it too...

That weird 'W' or vulture stance before he goes into the set position is to help some balky body part not flare up, if I remember correctly.

It's the Canadian Goose strategy of looking bigger and more intimidating.

It was originally to relieve stress caused by bicep tendinitis but he says it no longer has a purpose other than being his thing.  He says he was having success doing it so he didn't see the need to change even though the tendinitis is no longer an issue.

He's only had one DL trip in his career and it was a knee issue in 2016.  I don't think health is a serious concern for him.

3/45 for Kimbrell? That's not a deal, that's a steal. Do it. Give him an extra mil or two in 2019 and let him opt out after the season. We have the money for 2019, not to mention about 70mil coming off the books after this season.

If this team won't spend the money on a Kimbrell now then it never will.

1. I tend to agree with this. Even power relievers should be able to get to their mid 30's as effective 1 inning pitcher. I doubt I he will sign for anything close to that, however.

 

2. I tend to agree with this, tho I like the old style unis best.

 

3. I have never been that impressed with Castro in a Twins uniform. His defense seems somewhat overrated and offense has been mostly bad. I like Garver, but the Twins have always seemed underwhelmed by his pitcher handling and his overall defense. Astudillo is fun, I would love it if he was at least a half time catcher. I am not to sure the Twins want that tho.

I agree it will take more than 3/45 to sign Kimbrel. I’d be willing to go 3/60. Astudillo could take a starters # of at bats between catcher, 3b, and 2b, or should, IMO. This team is really lacking in contact.

Astudillo is in Rochester. Unless one of Garver or Castro (or possibly Adrianza), is injured. Garver is a better hitter than Astudillo (despite those amazing 97 plate appearances last year)...and Adrianza is a better fielder at every position except one. I'd be great if we could go with 12 pitchers and a 4-man bench, because Astudillo would provide much better offensive flexibility late in games...but we won't...at least not once the schedule picks up.

I just can not imagine any scenario where Boston does not resign Kimbrel.  

Coincidentally, 2016 was his worst season, posting that 3.4 ERA. His walk rate was pretty bad that year (over 5), but he still got the Ks. The guys' WHIP though has been impressive. Even with high walk rates, he keeps that WHIP number under 1 more years than not. No one makes decent contact when they swing at his stuff. 

I don't really see him fading out too quickly either.  As long as he can pair an upper 90's fastball with a great curveball he should be fine.  I expect him to still be a great pitcher 3 years from now.

3/45 probably won't be enough though.  I think they will need to at least beat Wade Davis's 3/52M from last year.