Berardino: Suzuki on Trade Waivers

[alarp33]

 

I will revisit this next year. What MiLB options? Garver isn't skipping AAA although he is the one guy that interests me long term. Turner is the next Drew Butera. Centeno is a backup. Perhaps they bring in a decent FA but most likely we will hate what we get out of the catcher position during the first half if not the whole season.

 

We really seem to be struggling to get on the same page.  Again, I never talked about next year. Trading Suzuki has NO effect on next year.  He is a free agent

 

FYI, Garver is in AAA right now

[Otto von Ballpark]

Y'all should be ashamed, bumping this thread without any actual rumors or news!  Got my hopes up...

[nytwinsfan]

BTW, Stuart Turner is on an absolute tear right now. He is hitting .244/.334/.382 (.716) in AA as a 24 yo.  That is not very good, even for a catcher, but it is very good for him.  Since July 1st he is hitting .285/.360/.455 (.815).

 

He doesn't need a .700 OPS at the major league level to have value, given his defense. He could be a .650-.700 hitter and still be a good catcher at the major league level.  He bears watching.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

BTW, Stuart Turner is on an absolute tear right now. He is hitting .244/.334/.382 (.716) in AA as a 24 yo.  That is not very good, even for a catcher, but it is very good for him.  Since July 1st he is hitting .285/.360/.455 (.815).

 

He doesn't need a .700 OPS at the major league level to have value, given his defense. He could be a .650-.700 hitter and still be a good catcher at the major league level.  He bears watching.

It should also be noted that Turner is 24.5 years old (AA league average age), and repeating the level.  Also he had 4 hits including a HR yesterday, which boosted his season OPS by almost 30 points in one day (and boosted that "since July 1st" OPS by 50 points).  Obviously yesterday counts, but any sample terminating with that game might not be giving an accurate picture of Turner going forward.

 

His components in 2016 look largely the same as 2015, except a bit of an increase in BABIP (still below average), an extra HR or two, and a handful of more doubles.  Nothing that really screams progress as a hitter.

 

I think it's probably fair to say he's still on something like the Butera track, which means he should have an MLB career but probably not as a starter.  Will be very interesting to see if we protect him on the 40-man roster this winter -- his performance to date might not warrant it, but he could already be useful as a backup and we probably can't afford to be losing any options at catcher.

[kab21]

 

We really seem to be struggling to get on the same page.  Again, I never talked about next year. Trading Suzuki has NO effect on next year.  He is a free agent

 

FYI, Garver is in AAA right now

Yes, he is a FA but people are acting like once the Twins get rid of Suzuki the catching position will improve. Unfortunately the catching position will be worse this season and next. Getting rid of Suzuki (for nothing) doesn't make the Twins better.

 

I am fully aware that Garver has played 12 games in AAA. That is essentially 0 in the big picture of things. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Yes, he is a FA but people are acting like once the Twins get rid of Suzuki the catching position will improve. Unfortunately the catching position will be worse this season and next. Getting rid of Suzuki (for nothing) doesn't make the Twins better.

 

I am fully aware that Garver has played 12 games in AAA. That is essentially 0 in the big picture of things.

That depends on what you are looking for.

Defensively, the position is upgraded by a very significant margin immediately with Garver or Turner.

I'd really like to see what this pitching staff looks like with a defensive catcher.

[jimmer]

 

That depends on what you are looking for.
Defensively, the position is upgraded by a very significant margin immediately with Garver or Turner.
I'd really like to see what this pitching staff looks like with a defensive catcher.

Drew Butera in 2011 and 2012 was a pretty good defensive catcher for us if memory serves. Maybe he's available in the offseason.