Austin Hedges

[jorgenswest]

Is Hedges a possible solution to catcher? It will be Mejia’s job soon.

 

Would one of the Rochester starters be a good match? How about Kepler?

 

I know he isn’t hitting yet but he is still young and among the better defensive catchers.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I like this.. Catcher is our weakest organizational position. Let's get one.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Hedges seems like the kind of bad hitter we might struggle to fix. He's never really been much of a hitter outside the PCL either -- and his only extended run there was 2016 when he still had a 15% K rate. That has ballooned in MLB to 29% last year and 34% now. He's like Mike Zunino without the power. Kepler would be way too much to give up for that, I think.

 

He has 2 options left so I am not sure the Padres have to ship him out yet either. Maybe if Mejia really does have defensive issues, they can work a kind of platoon?

 

Unless optioned soon, Hedges will be arbitration eligible this winter as well. Maybe that would be some incentive for them to deal.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

If the Padres spent actual big league resources to pick up a near big league ready catcher, I wouldn’t give up too much to acquire the guy they want to divest of.

[TheLeviathan]

Hedges right-handed power might play well at TF.  I know the power has dipped this year, but there have been signs of it.  

 

His defense has always gotten good reviews.

[Oxtung]

I was intrigued by the idea too. Not sure what the cost would be but I’d be really interested.

[mickeymental]

maybe john ryan murphy is available. 9 hr, .727 ops, 27 years young ...

[Riverbrian]

2 catchers is wonderful especially when you consider that catchers don't play every day. Also if you consider that some teams have 0 and if you only have 1... you are an injury away from 0.

 

If I'm the Padres. I would have no reason to trade Hedges or Mejia unless a team is willing to overpay for either of them. 

 

If I'm me... I will not overpay for catching. Grab a Free Agent or build your own catcher. 

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Hedges right-handed power might play well at TF.  I know the power has dipped this year, but there have been signs of it.  

Hedges had a .183 ISO last year, which looks solid, but keep in mind the league non-pitcher ISO was .175. And FWIW, Petco has been trending more neutral in recent years, per B-Ref. And Hedges' home-road splits are virtually identical.

 

I guess he does have 1 HR in 6 PA at Target Field (off Busenitz last year). But he also has a .502 OPS at Coors Field, and only a .638 at Chase Field (Arizona). I'm not sure if ballpark matters much, he just looks like a very bad hitter.

[spsdrock]

I would like to see if we could maybe get Andrew Susac or Chance Sisco from Baltimore.  I feel they would both fit well and I just feel Susac just never really got a chance.  He did play well in SF as backup.  But i have mentioned this a few times now. Susac is 5 years older than Sisco though.  Susac should be fairly cheap to get.

[jorgenswest]

Random thoughts reading the thread...

 

It is possible to overpay in free agency also. Unless the home built catcher is Garver, I don’t see anyone they can count on the next two years.

 

The reason the Padres make the trade is the Twins can meet a need. Maybe the Padres believe in Kepler’s peripherals and the trade of 25 year olds works well for both teams. It could turn out like the Hicks trade where both players are useful 27 year old major leaguers. Murphy is a good defensive catcher but Hedges is much better.

 

Realmuto is very expensive. Better veteran free agent catchers probably cost three years and likely give you on good year. Castro at 6 million a year for three years sounds good until you think about it as 18 million for one year. Grandal is going to be very expensive. Ramos will also be very expensive. Any other free agents to consider?

 

The Padres have a good catching prospect at every level (Campusano, Torrens, Allen and Mejia). If we are seeking an organization with young catching to try to solve the problem, the Padres are one place to look.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Any other free agents to consider?

 

Upcoming free agent catchers, per MLBTR:

 

Drew Butera (35)
Robinson Chirinos (35) — $2.375MM club option with a $100K buyout
A.J. Ellis (38)
Tyler Flowers (33)
Yasmani Grandal (30)
Nick Hundley (35)
Jonathan Lucroy (33)
Martin Maldonado (32)
Jeff Mathis (36)
Brian McCann (35) — $15MM club/player option
Devin Mesoraco (31)
Miguel Montero (35)
Wilson Ramos (31)
Rene Rivera (35)
Kurt Suzuki (35)
Matt Wieters (33)

 

McCann's option won't vest, and it seems unlikely the Astros pick it up at this point, so he'd be an interesting bounceback candidate. We liked the last catcher the Astros moved on from.

 

Grandal and Ramos are having good seasons. Suzuki and Flowers have been solid too. Maldonado too, by defensive metrics anyway. In smaller samples, Mesoraca has been decent for the Mets, and Hundley for the Giants in a backup role.

[spanman2]

 

maybe john ryan murphy is available. 9 hr, .727 ops, 27 years young ...

IALTO

[ken]

maybe john ryan murphy is available. 9 hr, .727 ops, 27 years young ...

Kurt Suzuki will also be available as a free agent.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Upcoming free agent catchers, per MLBTR:

 

Drew Butera (35)
Robinson Chirinos (35) — $2.375MM club option with a $100K buyout
A.J. Ellis (38)
Tyler Flowers (33)
Yasmani Grandal (30)
Nick Hundley (35)
Jonathan Lucroy (33)
Martin Maldonado (32)
Jeff Mathis (36)
Brian McCann (35) — $15MM club/player option
Devin Mesoraco (31)
Miguel Montero (35)
Wilson Ramos (31)
Rene Rivera (35)
Kurt Suzuki (35)
Matt Wieters (33)

 

McCann's option won't vest, and it seems unlikely the Astros pick it up at this point, so he'd be an interesting bounceback candidate. We liked the last catcher the Astros moved on from.

 

Grandal and Ramos are having good seasons. Suzuki and Flowers have been solid too. Maldonado too, by defensive metrics anyway. In smaller samples, Mesoraca has been decent for the Mets, and Hundley for the Giants in a backup role.

 

Look at those ages, and ask how many years you want to commit to any of them....

 

Also, does anyone trust Ramos to ever be healthy?

[alarp33]

Hedges hasn't hit even a little bit. Even if the Padres made him available, which I doubt they will, I'd pass

[Riverbrian]

Random thoughts reading the thread...

 

It is possible to overpay in free agency also. Unless the home built catcher is Garver, I don’t see anyone they can count on the next two years.

 

The reason the Padres make the trade is the Twins can meet a need. Maybe the Padres believe in Kepler’s peripherals and the trade of 25 year olds works well for both teams. It could turn out like the Hicks trade where both players are useful 27 year old major leaguers. Murphy is a good defensive catcher but Hedges is much better.

 

Realmuto is very expensive. Better veteran free agent catchers probably cost three years and likely give you on good year. Castro at 6 million a year for three years sounds good until you think about it as 18 million for one year. Grandal is going to be very expensive. Ramos will also be very expensive. Any other free agents to consider?

 

The Padres have a good catching prospect at every level (Campusano, Torrens, Allen and Mejia). If we are seeking an organization with young catching to try to solve the problem, the Padres are one place to look.

Agreed. It is possible to over pay in Free Agency especially if you go to the top of the stack but that is only money and doesn’t cost you a Kepler who will play more often and potentially out produce a catcher.

 

I’m comfortable finding a dime a dozen type defensive catcher to man the position. I hold no illusions of being one of those teams that has one of three Buster Posey type catchers.

 

As for the Aaron Hicks trade. I hated it when it happened and I still hate it today. It’s the type of trade you make when you convince yourself you are desperate for catching. Murphy might be playing decently now for the D-Backs and that’s great for Murphy but he is splitting time with Avila and Mathis. He has 1 start in last 6 games. (Avila 3 Mathis 2 starts) If theTwins pick up Mathis... I’ll be happy.

 

I’d rather the Twins spend resources on more bang for the buck at other positions. If I’m trading Kepler I’m not going to take the production loss to pay for position scarcity. Everybody is looking for Buster Posey and they have to pay through the nose to get it because everybody wants it. If the Padres will give up Hedges for a reasonable deal... absolutely. If you start talking Kepler... I’m out.

 

I’m simply not panicked over Catcher. They just don’t produce enough at the plate to panic.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Agreed. It is possible to over pay in Free Agency especially if you go to the top of the stack but that is only money and doesn’t cost you a Kepler who will play more often and potentially out produce a catcher.

I’m comfortable finding a dime a dozen type defensive catcher to man the position. I hold no illusions of being one of those teams that has one of three Buster Posey type catchers.

As for the Aaron Hicks trade. I hated it when it happened and I still hate it today. It’s the type of trade you make when you convince yourself you are desperate for catching. Murphy might be playing decently now for the D-Backs and that’s great for Murphy but he is splitting time. If thecTwins pick up Mathis... I’ll be happy.

I’d rather the Twins spend resources on more bang for the buck at other positions. If I’m trading Kepler I’m not going to take the production loss to pay for position scarcity. Everybody is looking for Buster Posey and they have to pay through the nose to get it because everybody wants it. If the Padres will give up Hedges for a reasonable deal... absolutely. If you start talking Kepler... I’m out.

I’m simply not panicked over Catcher. They just don’t produce enough at the plate to panic.

 

Where do they get better next year? Certainly not 2B, or 3B, or the OF (other than growth of their own players). Most likely not 1B. that really leaves catcher and DH......unless they are trading numbers for a better OF or 3B or something totally unexpected.

[Riverbrian]

 

Where do they get better next year? Certainly not 2B, or 3B, or the OF (other than growth of their own players). Most likely not 1B. that really leaves catcher and DH......unless they are trading numbers for a better OF or 3B or something totally unexpected.

 

I know you don't see it like I do Mike and that's alright but the Twins need to get better everywhere. 

 

If I'm the GM... I'm not... but if I'm the GM... There is no way I'm counting on either Sano or Buxton. I'll put them on the roster but Buxton is going to 4th on my OF Depth Chart until he figures out how to use that wood thing in his hands. Once he proves himself, he'll get the playing time. Sano is gonna be a guy who plays 1B/3B/DH but I will have a 1st Base and 3rd Base ahead of him on the depth chart ahead of him until Sano proves that he isn't going to swing at sliders away every time. 

 

We will also have to find some middle infield because we don't know if Dozier or Escobar will be with us next year. I'm looking for 2 guys to replace both of them to roll with Polanco and compete for playing time. I'm not going to count on Gordon until someone gets hurt and he gets his chance. There is no way... I'm going to deploy Gordon without a safety net. 

 

I will not sign a DH only guy. The DH can be used to get your extra talent AB's. 

 

The Twins have been caught with their pants down like this for years. No more playing Morrison every day and dying with him. No more is where I'm at. 

 

Just look at the Dodgers Roster and how they do it. Look at the Brewers roster and all the options they have. They had an OF of Braun, Broxton, Santana, Thames can also play OF, Phillips... they were loaded and they still went out and got Yelich and Cain. If you struggle... they got someone else to give it a shot. No more throwing Gomez, Hicks and Buxton out there without a safety net and saying "We didn't make the playoffs again because we didn't get the performance we expected out of CF". Prepare for it! It happens a lot in Baseball. 

 

Catcher... Look at the numbers: An Average Catcher hits .220. Teams have learned how to make the playoffs and win a world series with catchers who hit .220. 

 

The Twins can improve at every position but that catcher who hits. 270 with 10 Home Runs... He's expensive and that same price can bring in a guy who hits 270 with 30 home runs.  

 

 

 

 

[jorgenswest]

When Bobby Wilson is the catcher who the management feels gives the team the best chance to win in 2018 there is a lot of space for improvement.

 

I don’t think there are many 25 year old catchers like Hedges to target. His defense is so good. However the one place the Twins have some depth they might consider trading is mid 20s left handed hitting outfielders in Rosario, Kepler, Cave and Wade. There must be a match somewhere to get a catcher.

[alarp33]

Where do they get better next year? Certainly not 2B, or 3B, or the OF (other than growth of their own players). Most likely not 1B. that really leaves catcher and DH......unless they are trading numbers for a better OF or 3B or something totally unexpected.

Are you talking about players potential or what’s been accomplished this year? It’s very likely they’ll be better at 1b, DH, 2B, and C next season if they just use current players on roster or in minors than they have been up to this point

 

Also the pitching staff can absolutely be improved, bullpen especially

[Mike Sixel]

 

I know you don't see it like I do Mike and that's alright but the Twins need to get better everywhere. 

 

If I'm the GM... I'm not... but if I'm the GM... There is no way I'm counting on either Sano or Buxton. I'll put them on the roster but Buxton is going to 4th on my OF Depth Chart until he figures out how to use that wood thing in his hands. Once he proves himself, he'll get the playing time. Sano is gonna be a guy who plays 1B/3B/DH but I will have a 1st Base and 3rd Base ahead of him on the depth chart ahead of him until Sano proves that he isn't going to swing at sliders away every time. 

 

We will also have to find some middle infield because we don't know if Dozier or Escobar will be with us next year. I'm looking for 2 guys to replace both of them to roll with Polanco and compete for playing time. I'm not going to count on Gordon until someone gets hurt and he gets his chance. There is no way... I'm going to deploy Gordon without a safety net. 

 

I will not sign a DH only guy. The DH can be used to get your extra talent AB's. 

 

The Twins have been caught with their pants down like this for years. No more playing Morrison every day and dying with him. No more is where I'm at. 

 

Just look at the Dodgers Roster and how they do it. Look at the Brewers roster and all the options they have. They had an OF of Braun, Broxton, Santana, Thames can also play OF, Phillips... they were loaded and they still went out and got Yelich and Cain. If you struggle... they got someone else to give it a shot. No more throwing Gomez, Hicks and Buxton out there without a safety net and saying "We didn't make the playoffs again because we didn't get the performance we expected out of CF". Prepare for it! It happens a lot in Baseball. 

 

Catcher... Look at the numbers: An Average Catcher hits .220. Teams have learned how to make the playoffs and win a world series with catchers who hit .220. 

 

The Twins can improve at every position but that catcher who hits. 270 with 10 Home Runs... He's expensive and that same price can bring in a guy who hits 270 with 30 home runs.  

 

great....but do you see THEM doing this? They have Cave, Wade, Buxton, Rosario and Kepler. I can't see them adding an elite OF at this point. I can't see this FO and ownership group doing what the Brewers have done, they have never acted that way here. 

 

There aren't any good 3B available, not w/o a trade. I'd consider that, but I'd be more willing to roll the die on Sano. but if a really good, young, 3B is available, I probably trade for him at this point, given Sano's issues and what the minors have.

 

I agree, they need a 2B, but where are they going to find one better than Dozier has been? I'm talking about where the team can get better than last year, so I don't see one out there.

 

yes, they need a 1B and DH (and yes, I'd rather that be an OF).

 

But yes, if I thought the Twins operated differently, I might suggest a different approach.

 

edit:

To be clear, I think we agree....but I don't think the Twins do. As for Hedges? No way they are trading him right now, IMO. 

[alarp33]

 

 

I agree, they need a 2B, but where are they going to find one better than Dozier has been? I'm talking about where the team can get better than last year, so I don't see one out there.

 

 

 

Huh? Why would you base it on last year? Are you expecting the 2019 pitching staff to have similar production to the 2017 one? I don't understand your argument here

[NewClearHarley]

 

Is Hedges a possible solution to catcher? It will be Mejia’s job soon.

Would one of the Rochester starters be a good match? How about Kepler?

I know he isn’t hitting yet but he is still young and among the better defensive catchers.

I would love to get him but I am afraid that SD probably still wants a healthy return for him - and they don't need prospects (they'd be looking for more ready to contribute talent). He would cost less than Realmuto obviously. I still would love to see what Twins would have to offer to get Salvy. He rakes at Target Field.

[NewClearHarley]

 

Upcoming free agent catchers, per MLBTR:

 

Drew Butera (35)
Robinson Chirinos (35) — $2.375MM club option with a $100K buyout
A.J. Ellis (38)
Tyler Flowers (33)
Yasmani Grandal (30)
Nick Hundley (35)
Jonathan Lucroy (33)
Martin Maldonado (32)
Jeff Mathis (36)
Brian McCann (35) — $15MM club/player option
Devin Mesoraco (31)
Miguel Montero (35)
Wilson Ramos (31)
Rene Rivera (35)
Kurt Suzuki (35)
Matt Wieters (33)

 

McCann's option won't vest, and it seems unlikely the Astros pick it up at this point, so he'd be an interesting bounceback candidate. We liked the last catcher the Astros moved on from.

 

Grandal and Ramos are having good seasons. Suzuki and Flowers have been solid too. Maldonado too, by defensive metrics anyway. In smaller samples, Mesoraca has been decent for the Mets, and Hundley for the Giants in a backup role.

id be cool with Maldonado, flowers, grandal, or mesoraco if we go this route.

[Mike Sixel]

Huh? Why would you base it on last year? Are you expecting the 2019 pitching staff to have similar production to the 2017 one? I don't understand your argument here

Well, we are taking about the offense and position players.

[alarp33]

Well, we are taking about the offense and position players.

I mean this is 2018. Are you trying to improve on the 2018 offense, or the 2017 offense that was 7th in the majors in runs scored? You said you’re asking “where the team can get better from last year”. What was wrong with last years offense?

 

If we’re talking present day, which only makes sense. Improving the production from 2b, 1b, SS, CF, dh, C and potentially RF should be fairly easy to do within the current roster/system

[NewClearHarley]

I Believe we keep escobar and shift Sano to full-time 1B/DH next year (depending on whether or not Mauer wants to keep playing). Dozier is likely gone implying that Gordon had better be ready to step in everyday - or pray that Royce is able to make a big jump sliding Polanco to 2B. OF will be Rosario, Kepler, and Buxton (If he isn't a complete failure again later this year). Assuming Garver and Cave will be back as two bench bats. That likely leaves two or three bat spots: starting catcher, reserve MI, and possibly DH/CI reserve (if Mauer retires).

 

The starting staff will be likely: Berrios, Erv, Gibson, ?, ? (Some combo of Odorizzi, Romero, Mejia, Slegers, and Gonsalves)

 

Bullpen will be: Reed, Rogers, Busenitz, Hildenberger, Pressley, ?, ?

 

Starting Catcher is the most obvious spot we need an upgrade going into next season. If we can get one lets do it.

[Mike Sixel]

I mean this is 2018. Are you trying to improve on the 2018 offense, or the 2017 offense that was 7th in the majors in runs scored? You said you’re asking “where the team can get better from last year”. What was wrong with last years offense?

 

If we’re talking present day, which only makes sense. Improving the production from 2b, 1b, SS, CF, dh, C and potentially RF should be fairly easy to do within the current roster/system

They aren't replacing Buxton or Kepler. Polanco is your short stop. How will they improve catcher in the system? That leaves first, DH, catcher, she second.

 

Do people think they will replace second with a player near what Dozier did last year? If not, they won't be seventh. And Mauer had his best year in a few last year, so they probably won't be that good next year either.

 

The holes are second, first, catcher, DH. That's a lot to fill in one off-season to be as good as last year.

[alarp33]

 

They aren't replacing Buxton or Kepler. Polanco is your short stop. How will they improve catcher in the system? That leaves first, DH, catcher, she second.

Do people think they will replace second with a player near what Dozier did last year? If not, they won't be seventh. And Mauer had his best year in a few last year, so they probably won't be that good next year either.

The holes are second, first, catcher, DH. That's a lot to fill in one off-season to be as good as last year.

 

I don't understand why you keep talking about 2017 Dozier. Are you trying to improve on this years team or last years team?

 

A pretty easy way to improve on 2017 is to not have one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball in 2019. I think they'll be able to accomplish that