Backup Catcher?

[stringer bell]

30 players are in camp.  There are four catchers--Suzuki will start, Pinto is on the 40-man but hasn't played in over a week and did not pass the concussion test, Herrmann is a utility guy, has performed well in camp, but not considered the backup catcher, Fryer has logged over a year as a backup, but isn't on the 40-man. 

 

With the missed time, it is doubtful that Pinto will be able to open the season as the backup catcher.  He has an option remaining, so he could be optioned if it is determined that he needs Triple A time to get ready.  I have also wondered aloud whether the Twins could put him on the Concussion Disabled List (10 days) and then have him rehab with the Rochester club until he was ready to help the Twins, saving his option.

 

Herrmann could be the sole survivor as the backup catcher.  However, his versatility would be limited if he was the only other catcher on the team, besides Suzuki.  His main asset has been his versatility. 

 

Fryer is another comfortable fit, but subtracting someone from the 40-man for what could be as short a time as a week (if Pinto is healed and the Twins want him back on the team). 

 

If Pinto is not ready, my preference would be to disable him and have him rehab until he is ready to help the Twins.  I would keep just Herrmann on the club, saving a 40-man move.  If Fryer makes the club, it would indicate that Pinto won't be back with the Twins any time soon.

[Danchat]

I suspect Pinto will end up on the 7 day DL. Herrmann will be the backup until Pinto's ready, unless they really like Herrmann as the backup.

[Paul Pleiss]

Did Herrmann log any time at C last season? I think I remember that being a big fat NO.

 

And yet I think he somehow has the edge over Fryer for the backup C job to start the season. Scary.

 

Where is Drew Butera when you need him>?

[twinscowboysbulls]

You take Herrmann to Minnesota.

1- pinto should be ready to take his spot when he is healthy(unless he is already healthy, then take pinto)

2- you probably won't even need to give Suzuki a day off

3- no need to mess with the 40 man and potentially lose someone over ERIC FRYER.

 

WWTD: twins will cut a decent player off 40 man and lose him to another team, and they will bring Fryer.

[Thrylos]

Two slash lines.  Pick one:

 

.300/.353/.433 or .231/.259/.308?

 

Couple more:  Pick another:

 

.262/.331/.399 or .217/.314/.316?

 

Not.Even.Close

[Thrylos]

 

 

Did Herrmann log any time at C last season? I think I remember that being a big fat NO.
 

 

26 games in Rochester and 1 in MN.

[HitInAPinch]

Maybe I have a concussion and am confused, but why [in Spring Training of all things] did the Twins leave Pinto in the can after getting cracked in the head a 2nd time by Adam Jones ???

 

Anyway...  Pinto should remain at AAA to get fully recovered and get playing time.  If the Twins are as bad as I think they're going to be this year, Suzuki will be a trade commodity shortly after the All Star break.  THEN bring up Pinto.

[Mike Sixel]

Who is going to trade for Suzuki? That is a pipe dream.

[GP830]

I think Suzuki will be very valuable as a trade chip if he has a similar season to last year. People make stupid trades for established talent (See: Matt Capps), especially if they feel they are one piece from taking the jump. I do see Catcher as the Twins most glaring hole for the future. We have legitimate potential options pipelined for CF, MI, Corner spots, Starting Pitching (though never enough  ), and some great flamethrowers for future 'pen usage. Unless Pinto takes on the backup DH, 1B role, or magically gets good at throwing out runners and framing strikes, he doesn't have much value anymore. 

 

Anyone know of potential catchers on the trade market? 

[Physics Guy]

 

I think Suzuki will be very valuable as a trade chip if he has a similar season to last year. People make stupid trades for established talent (See: Matt Capps), especially if they feel they are one piece from taking the jump. I do see Catcher as the Twins most glaring hole for the future. We have legitimate potential options pipelined for CF, MI, Corner spots, Starting Pitching (though never enough  ), and some great flamethrowers for future 'pen usage. Unless Pinto takes on the backup DH, 1B role, or magically gets good at throwing out runners and framing strikes, he doesn't have much value anymore. 

 

Anyone know of potential catchers on the trade market? 

Suzuki was at the peak of his value last year at the trade deadline.   He was available, but the Twins didn't get an offer they deemed was worth it.   I doubt that changes this year IF he has a a similar year.    By the way, that is a really big IF in my opinion. 

[GP830]

 

Suzuki was at the peak of his value last year at the trade deadline.   He was available, but the Twins didn't get an offer they deemed was worth it.   I doubt that changes this year IF he has a a similar year.    By the way, that is a really big IF in my opinion. 

 

That's a good point, Sir. However, much like my post in the Pelfrey trade thread regarding Milone-- if a contender's catcher get's hurt--they would be interested in an established, trusted ML catcher. If Suzuki is hitting above .250 and providing the same stability he has in his career, then why would he not be enquired on? 

[notoriousgod71]

We'll start with Suzuki, Fryer, and "Super" futility player Hermann.

[Thrylos]

 

 

Anyone know of potential catchers on the trade market? 

 

Chooch

[GP830]

I'm not an expert, so please go easy on me:

 

Howabout Escobar for Travis d'Arnaud. Mets need an SS and have Kevin Plawecki who they hope to potentially push for the big league Catching gig by mid-season. 

 

We have several (Although, not a ton: Gordon, Polanco) legitimate middle infield prospects coming in the next few years, and Escobar's value has never been higher. d'Arnaud is 26 and could help us pin down the position for several years. I've seen people refer to Esco as a luxury, but wouldn't we rather have a luxury at catcher than at a position that seems to be pipelined for the foreseeable future?

 

 

[GP830]

--OR--

Escobar and Pelfrey --for-- Andrew Susac (catcher) and Steven Okert (LHP) from San Fran.

 

We trade "highly-sought" Escobar and a pitcher who had a great spring, for a good catching prospect, and good LH relief prospect who is near ML ready. Escobar could play 3rd for the Giants and Pelfrey could have good shot at the rotation. Giants would still have Sanchez as a backup catcher, and the Twins would still have SP and SS depth. 

[Thrylos]

 

I'm not an expert, so please go easy on me:

 

Howabout Escobar for Travis d'Arnaud. Mets need an SS and have Kevin Plawecki who they hope to potentially push for the big league Catching gig by mid-season. 

 

We have several (Although, not a ton: Gordon, Polanco) legitimate middle infield prospects coming in the next few years, and Escobar's value has never been higher. d'Arnaud is 26 and could help us pin down the position for several years. I've seen people refer to Esco as a luxury, but wouldn't we rather have a luxury at catcher than at a position that seems to be pipelined for the foreseeable future?

 

 

The Mets will not trade d'Arnaud for Escobar   

 

d'Arnaud was a top 25 MLB prospect for 3 years before his rookie season and Catching is a tough position.  Also was the centerpiece for the Roy Halladay trade by the Phillies.   They are looking at him as the second coming of Gary Carter in New York.

 

Also, with Wilmer Flores and Ruber Tejada the Mets are pretty much set at SS and do not need Escobar. 

[jorgenswest]

While I agree with with Thrylos about D'Arnaud, Escobar should only be moved for another up the middle player. Catcher needs to be a priority. There is no catcher in the organization that profiles solidly both offensively and defensively.

 

Trading Escobar or Santana for a good young catcher would be a good move. They might add one of the Chatanooga bullpen arms to get the talent they need at catcher.

[Thrylos]

 

 There is no catcher in the organization that profiles solidly both offensively and defensively.

 

Jose Fernandez and Mitch Garver do.  Rainis Silva might be up there soon as well.   Garver and Fernandez are about 2 and 3 years away or so.  Silva still very raw.

[jorgenswest]

I hope you are right about Garver's defense. His reports out of college questioned his defense. It is a long way from Low A to the majors especially for a catcher with only 86 games behind the plate professionally. I would guess there is less than a 10% chance he will have a 5 year run as a starting catcher. Fernandez is behind him and several levels away from the majors.

 

Pinto was in Low A in 2010. There is a lot to learn at the catcher spot. No one thought he was 2-3 years awy at that point.

 

There is little data to use to measure catching. Garver has thrown out 33% of runners in the minors. Pinto 32%. Garver has a passed ball about every 7 games. Pinto 1 per 9 games.

 

I think the Twins could be wise to invest in a young catcher.

[Thrylos]

 

I think the Twins could be wise to invest in a young catcher.

 

Sure.  How about this guy?

[Physics Guy]

 

If Suzuki is hitting above .250 and providing the same stability he has in his career, then why would he not be enquired on? 

It is my understanding that there were teams inquiring about Suzuki last year.  They still didn't trade him.   Since the Twins were in the midst of another poor season, and should have been trading commodities like Suzuki, that leads me to believe one of two things were going on. Either nobody was willing to give the Twins what they perceived as good value or they weren't willing to go with Pinto and the full-time catcher unless they were given a really good offer. 

[Hrbowski]

 

26 games in Rochester and 1 in MN.

If I remember correctly it was 1 inning.

[ScottyB]

 

Sure.  How about this guy?

 

Probably not at 5 and not available post second round, but looks like he's got good potential.  Also may move to 1B, so catching skills in question.

 

[DJSim22]

 

It is my understanding that there were teams inquiring about Suzuki last year.  They still didn't trade him.   Since the Twins were in the midst of another poor season, and should have been trading commodities like Suzuki, that leads me to believe one of two things were going on. Either nobody was willing to give the Twins what they perceived as good value or they weren't willing to go with Pinto and the full-time catcher unless they were given a really good offer. 

Trading Suzuki last year means you need to sign a net vet catcher or or rely on Pinto to catch a staff.

[twinsfanstreif]

Is Mauer considered an emergency option?

[Physics Guy]

 

Trading Suzuki last year means you need to sign a net vet catcher or or rely on Pinto to catch a staff.

Yep, I thought that was pretty much what I was getting at.  My guess is it was the second of the two options I posted.  They didn't get blown away enough to compromise the team (their thoughts?, not mine) and have Pinto be their starting C.

[Physics Guy]

 

 

Is Mauer considered an emergency option?

I don't think so.  Everything I have read is that he is not an option.