Andrew Susac DFA'd - Possible Catching Depth?

[slash129]

From MLBTR:

 

Brewers Designate Andrew Susac For Assignment

By Steve Adams | January 30, 2018 at 2:42pm CDT

 

The Brewers announced that they’ve designated catcher Andrew Susac for assignment today in order to clear a spot on the roster for righty Matt Albers, whose previously reported two-year deal with the team is now official.

 

 

Age 27 and a once somewhat highly regarded prospect.  

 

The Brewers appear to be going for it, so they don't have room with Pina, Vogt and a couple other catchers on their 40-man.

 

I feel the Twins are light on MLB ready catching depth.  Susac could at least push Garver.

 

A 40 man move would be necessary. With the number of bullpen additions, I think you just offer Kinley back to FLA or see if they'd swap Kinley for someone they may be high on that the Twins maybe feel is expendable.

[Respy]

I also looked into this as soon as I saw the news.  Susac seems to me to profile very similarly to Mitch Garver, maybe slightly more power, slightly worse play calling at catcher, slightly worse plate discipline.  Same age, same build, similar MiLB numbers.  Except, Garver has options and Susac, first called up at age 24, appears to be out of options.

 

I'd pass.

[Vanimal46]

I could jump on board with this depending on Susac's defense. I haven't seen either Susac or Garver to know how their defense compares to each other. 

 

Susac hits LH pitching pretty well... MLB career .950 OPS against them (SSS alert: 90 career PA) 

 

Minors:
2017 (AAA) - .277/.333/.489 in 51 PA

2016 (AAA) - .282/.330/.487 in 88 PA

2015 (AAA) - .333/.424/.526 in 66 PA

 

So he fits the team's need of a backup C who can potentially crush LH pitching. Molitor didn't seem too excited about the idea of starting Garver at C last year. If Susac calls a better game, and Molitor is more comfortable, I'd pick him up.

 

Either way they need another C for the 40 man. If it isn't Susac, then sign a player with options who may or may not be better than Garver.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

MLBTR says Susac has 1 option left, which I think is correct -- in 2015, he was called up only 12 days into the season, and stayed on the MLB roster or DL the rest of the way, thus spending fewer than 20 days on optional assigment. So I think 2016-2017 are his only 2 option years so far.

 

If Pinto was claimed without options, it sure seems like Susac would get claimed quickly if he goes on waivers. The Brewers are probably trying to push a trade instead.

[Vanimal46]

 

MLBTR says Susac has 1 option left, which I think is correct -- in 2015, he was called up only 12 days into the season, and stayed on the MLB roster or DL the rest of the way, thus spending fewer than 20 days on optional assigment. So I think 2016-2017 are his only 2 option years so far.

If Pinto was claimed without options, it sure seems like Susac would get claimed quickly if he goes on waivers. The Brewers are probably trying to push a trade instead.

 

Good to know he has an option left. That changes things... No reason not to have him come in and compete with Garver for the backup spot. If a trade is required, the Twins have a baker's dozen of fringe relievers the Brewers could take! 

[TheLeviathan]

He used to be a pretty shiny prospect.  I'd at least pick up the phone and check on the price.

[Mike Sixel]

If he has an option, he won't make it to the Twins to be claimed. If he has an option, and he makes it to the Twins, it is an easy choice, they should claim him.

 

If he doesn't have an option? I'd probably pass.

[Thrylos]

Their 40 man roster is full and they need a spot for a starting pitcher.  And unless they get a top of the rotation starter, the third catcher is totally unnecessary.

 

Would I trade Slegers for Susac (which is what effectively would happen.) ?  Sure.  But whould I trade Granite, Curtiss, or Thorpe (one of whom should come off to accommodate a SP) for him?   Likely not.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Their 40 man roster is full and they need a spot for a starting pitcher.

This describes both the Brewers and the Twins, it appears. Susac was only DFA'd to make room for a FA signing, so they would need a non-40-man guy in return if they were to make a trade.

[yarnivek1972]

I haven’t paid a whole lot of attention to minor league comings and goings this offseason. What happened to Anthony Recker?

 

I’m not overly concerned. There are a lot of experienced catchers out there.

[Temple1]

 

I haven’t paid a whole lot of attention to minor league comings and goings this offseason. What happened to Anthony Recker?

I’m not overly concerned. There are a lot of experienced catchers out there.

Who's Anthony Recker?

[yarnivek1972]

Who's Anthony Recker?

He ended the 2017 season with Rochester as one of their catchers. He’s got some MLB experience.

[Twins33]

Who's Anthony Recker?

He was in the Garcia trade to the Twins.

 

He ended the 2017 season with Rochester as one of their catchers. He’s got some MLB experience.

 All I know is that he's a FA.

[Doomtints]

Let's pick up Susac and trade him back to the Brewers for Albers.

[Temple1]

 

He ended the 2017 season with Rochester as one of their catchers. He’s got some MLB experience.

 

 

He was in the Garcia trade to the Twins.

 

 

 

Thanks, guys.