Let's talk about Suzuki's 2017 option.

[DaveW]

Suzuki's 6 million dollar option kicks in automatically with 485 plate appearances. The good news is, Suzuki is on pace currently for only 360 PA. The bad news is that the Twins sent down Murphy, so there is no real "split" anytime soon at catcher for Suzuki, additionally they seem to love Suzuki to the point where I wouldn't be shocked if they gave him an extension in season.

 

I mean, there is no possible way Kurt can get 485 PA this year...right? (gulp)

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I mean, there is no possible way Kurt can get 485 PA this year...right? (gulp)

 

Probably not.

 

Last year, Suzuki didn't really miss any time, and in fact we had to send down Herrmann because he wasn't getting enough reps in MLB, and Suzuki still only finished with 479 PA.

 

In 2014, similar story, and Suzuki only reached 503 PA probably because we had a better team offense that year, meaning more trips through the lineup.

 

April 2016 was already Suzuki's fewest games played / plate appearances in a month as a Twin.  They could probably ramp him back up and still fall short of 485.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if they re-signed him for 2017, though. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Probably not.

 

Last year, Suzuki didn't really miss any time, and in fact we had to send down Herrmann because he wasn't getting enough reps in MLB, and Suzuki still only finished with 479 PA.

 

In 2014, similar story, and Suzuki only reached 503 PA probably because we had a better team offense that year, meaning more trips through the lineup.

 

April 2016 was already Suzuki's fewest games played / plate appearances in a month as a Twin.  They could probably ramp him back up and still fall short of 485.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if they re-signed him for 2017, though. 

 

that last sentence made my eyes bleed. I am going to see if the break room has gauze, brb.....

[Riverbrian]

10 catchers had 475 PA's in 2015 and none of them were Suzuki and he seemed to play a lot last year. 

 

I think the Twins would have to get back in contention in order for the goal to be reached.

 

Otherwise Suzuki playing time could get pretty sparse in August and September. 

[alarp33]

 

Suzuki's 6 million dollar option kicks in automatically with 485 plate appearances. The good news is, Suzuki is on pace currently for only 360 PA. The bad news is that the Twins sent down Murphy, so there is no real "split" anytime soon at catcher for Suzuki, additionally they seem to love Suzuki to the point where I wouldn't be shocked if they gave him an extension in season.

 

I mean, there is no possible way Kurt can get 485 PA this year...right? (gulp)

 

No, he won't get to 485.  

 

Yes, an in-season extension is very possible (yikes)... I mean let's hope its only 1 year and a small amount of money?

[Vanimal46]

 

Wouldn't be surprised if they re-signed him for 2017, though. 

On that note... 

http://l0lz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Disgusted-GIF.gif

 

[Riverbrian]

 

that last sentence made my eyes bleed. I am going to see if the break room has gauze, brb.....

 

I think Spycake is right. I think the Twins will look around and see a bunch of Suzuki types and sign the devil they know. 

 

My fingers are crossed that JR Murphy will have fixed what ails him by that time and my hope is taht Suzuki will be re-signed as a backup to JR but that... 

 

well... 

 

That is gonna...

 

Well... I'm going to wait until the off season to give Murph more time to show what made him trade worthy in the first place.

 

 

 

 

[beckmt]

Murphy is a much better catcher, except at this time for the hitting    It was quoted in another thread on this site that the ERA with Murphy catching was about 1/2 of what Suzuki catching was.  If the Twins were hitting better that would be more important

[Platoon]

He should be extended, Twins pitchers love pitching to him. Just because ha doesn't throw out any runners, his pitch framing is questionable at best, and in this years SSS their ERA averages 2 runs a game over Murphy, is no reason not to re-up him for at least two more years!

[alarp33]

 

He should be extended, Twins pitchers love pitching to him. Just because ha doesn't throw out any runners, his pitch framing is questionable at best, and in this years SSS their ERA averages 2 runs a game over Murphy, is no reason not to re-up him for at least two more years!

 

Right, since he's been a Twin the pitching staff has had an ERA dead last in the league... but can you imagine where it would be without him handling the staff?

[nicksaviking]

 

I think Spycake is right. I think the Twins will look around and see a bunch of Suzuki types and sign the devil they know. 

 

 

I think with the firing squad already lined up for everybody who has 1 Twins Way listed on their W2s (and K1s) there will be lots of scapegoats, and at this point as far as the on field employees go, Suzuki has a big fat bullseye on his back.

 

I think normally the Twins may look to retain him, but this year he's going to take the fall and the Twins will talk publicly (again) about upgrading the position (again). Francisco Cervelli is likely a free agent as the Pirates are uber-cheap, so possibly are Wilson Ramos, Chris Ianetta, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Geovany Soto, Dioner Navarro, Matt Weiters, Nick Hundly and Jason Castro. Most of those names are beyond boring, but still an upgrade to Suzuki, and likely only Cervelli would require an investment in terms of years that the Twins would feel squeamish about.

[DaveW]

I think signing Suzuki to any sort of extension is nothing short of a disaster for the Twins catching depth/position moving forward. Murphy is a perfectly acceptable backup Catcher at this stage, so signing Suzuki to be a backup makes no sense.

 

I would prefer the Twins go after a catcher with at least a little upside this off-season. Ramos would be the perfect signing IMO and shouldn't cost too much, let him and Murphy "battle" it out to be the starter and backup.

 

[Linus]

I think signing Suzuki to any sort of extension is nothing short of a disaster for the Twins catching depth/position moving forward. Murphy is a perfectly acceptable backup Catcher at this stage, so signing Suzuki to be a backup makes no sense.

 

I would prefer the Twins go after a catcher with at least a little upside this off-season. Ramos would be the perfect signing IMO and shouldn't cost too much, let him and Murphy "battle" it out to be the starter and backup.

This can't happen because every time I hear his name i think of THAT trade and have to spend time in a dark room with a cold compress.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Suzuki's 6 million dollar option kicks in automatically with 485 plate appearances. The good news is, Suzuki is on pace currently for only 360 PA. The bad news is that the Twins sent down Murphy, so there is no real "split" anytime soon at catcher for Suzuki, additionally they seem to love Suzuki to the point where I wouldn't be shocked if they gave him an extension in season.

 

I mean, there is no possible way Kurt can get 485 PA this year...right? (gulp)

 

Absolutely no chance. 

[DaveW]

 

Absolutely no chance. 

I'm going to hold you to that

[awinter]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Stuart Turner as Suzuki's replacement. Sure, he might hit for the same average as Suzuki going forward, but at least he'll provide value defensively and he should take good at bats and generate some walks.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Stuart Turner as Suzuki's replacement. Sure, he might hit for the same average as Suzuki going forward, but at least he'll provide value defensively and he should take good at bats and generate some walks.

It's been mentioned.  Turner is a career .242 hitter through AA so far, that would pretty much have to translate 100% to MLB to match the expectation for Suzuki (who at least hit .240 last year).  Similarly, not sure we should expect Turner's walk rate to translate perfectly to MLB.

 

It might happen eventually, but not now, and probably can't count on it for 2017 either.  Although I think Turner needs to be added to the 40-man this winter anyway, so he might get a look later in the year regardless.  Mitch Garver too.

[awinter]

 

It's been mentioned.  Turner is a career .242 hitter through AA so far, that would pretty much have to translate 100% to MLB to match the expectation for Suzuki (who at least hit .240 last year).  Similarly, not sure we should expect Turner's walk rate to translate perfectly to MLB.

I only meant mentioned in this thread.

 

Agreed that we don't know how Turner's BA & walk rate will translate. Also agree that Turner needs more time in the minors. If he plays well for a few more months, I'd like to see him make the jump to MLB.

 

My point is that come August/September, I'd rather see Suzuki and his .213 batting average and poor defense riding pine and take a chance on a player that plays better defense and could provide something more offensively.

[DaveW]

It just came to me! I have the perfect solution to our catching problems, it also will help our 1B/DH/3B issues as well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Mauer To catcher????

 

Nope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark DeRosa!

[Brandon]

I could see the Twins extending Suzuki for 1 year and a base of 2million and goes up to 6 or even 7 or 8 million based on plate appearances to help mentor in Stuart or the other catcher in AA I can t remember his name right now. 

[jctwins]

Is Butera available? Or should I start a separate thread for that?

[awinter]

Would any of the other Suzuki doubters like to join me for dinner? I'll be having crow...

[alarp33]

 

Would any of the other Suzuki doubters like to join me for dinner? I'll be having crow...

 

A hot month buoyed by a .417 BABIP since May 31.  The worst thing that can happen to the future of the Twins with Terry Ryan in charge, as an extension is probably likely at this point

[Mike Sixel]

Nope.....one good month hitting (how's that defense?) is not going to change my mind. As I've said all along, a fine backup. 

[tobi0040]

A hot month buoyed by a .417 BABIP since May 31.  The worst thing that can happen to the future of the Twins with Terry Ryan in charge, as an extension is probably likely at this point

Yup. Does anyone remember the last time he was hot for 45 days and we gave him a two year contract?

 

Looking at his body of work here from 2014 to today, fangraphs has 16 qualified catchers. His wRC+ is tied for 15th at 88. Just four ahead of Castro who is last. He is 13th out of 16th defensively.

 

Now I get that he is likely better than Garver or Turner, but why not see if we can trade him while he is hot? Ride out Murphy the rest of the season and re-evaluate in the off-season. My gut says we can get a catcher in free agency that is better than Kurt Suzuki.

 

But he will likely be extended and I would not be shocked if it was another two year deal.

[awinter]

Tough crowd... no more jokes for me.

[bird]

"The sky is blue."

 

"That darn Terry Ryan."

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm saving up my Suzuki contract extension outrage for when it actually happens.

 

Seriously, though... Guys, enough with the cheap barbs for something THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

 

It's not funny. It doesn't add anything to the conversation. And, maybe most importantly in my eyes, it's bloody repetitive and boring.

 

There are so many things to be angry about this season, there's no need to manufacture outrage over hypothetical situations that probably won't happen.

 

It's not something we're going to start issuing warnings over (probably) but it's the kind of thing that derails conversations and puts you on the moderators' radar as a poster to keep an eye on.

 

If you don't have anything real to contribute to a discussion, just... Don't post. It's really not that hard. Please.

[DaveW]

Suzuki has looked good at the plate, no doubt, but I am very skeptical that he can keep it up. His defense on the other hand isn't getting any better.

This is the perfect time to trade Suzuki, and likely we could get a halfway decent package back in return. The Dodgers (Grandal has been awful this year, and Ellis is no better) come immediately to mind as a team in "win now" mode who could use him ASAP.

 

I'm not a Murphy fan, but trade Suzuki, bring Murphy back up for the 2nd half of the year and see if he is a viable option for 2017 (starter, back up, etc) if he plays well, then you only need to go get one catcher via trade/FA heading into next year. If he flounders? You may need to get two.

At that stage, feel free to bring Suzuki back on a ONE year deal as a backup catcher. But they need to trade him ASAP, there is no reason to hang onto him the rest of this season.

Ditto with every other impending FA the Twins have or the Trevor Plouffes and Nolasco's of the world (guys who don't have a place on the 2017 roster), eat however much money you need and try to get something in return for them.

 

Just trade them for whatver you can get and move on.

[beckmt]

Do not think the Suzuki will make his guarantee number, so not worried.  Do not think the Twins should sign anyone who is not going to be a part of the 2019 team, maybe 2018 depending upon how the Twins do next year.