Roster revamp?

[stringer bell]

The first roster move occurred today with Tyler Austin being DFAed today. Most of us were happy with keeping Austin and also keeping three catchers. I think reality in 2019 is that a team can't have three catchers and three first basemen/DHs for the long term. the Opening Day roster choices also pivoted around Austin being out of options, and now likely lost to the organization. 

 

Before today's game, I was thinking that they will eventually have to do something with the catcher position. Of course, injury could solve the problem or perhaps Willians Astudillo could turn into a pumpkin. If the season proceeds with Castro, Garver and Astudillo being viable options and splitting time, then something should probably be done. Who should go? Astudillo and Garver have options, Castro is a veteran on the last year of his contract. 

 

If the Twins have something in Astudillo, I think Garver is the odd man out. He is OK as a catcher and he's a good hitter for a catcher, but he isn't going to take that many at-bats from Castro and Astudillo needs to play, if he continues to hit as he has so far. 

 

Astudillo could play elsewhere, of course, as he has played a lot of positions for the Twins, and Garver has some first base time, but trying to get three catchers enough time is no easy task.

 

As I said, injuries or lack of production would solve this problem, if it termed a problem. I guess time will tell.

[ashbury]

Ever since the Willingham/Doumit era, this team's roster has had hardening of the arteries where it came to bat-first guys. No roster flexibility, just players signed to play a corner position (or poorly at an up-the-middle position) with a side comment "and if nothing else he can DH". It seemed to me, after a while, that it came from a lazy point of view, since that kind of player is always one of the most easily available. Cruz in that regard is somewhat of a refreshing experience, as he was signed with no pretense toward being a position player - the bat has to be perceived as really, really good to make that work.

 

As for catcher, in this era of 13-man pitching staffs you just can't have 3 of them anymore. Either Astudillo has to be so valuable at other positions that you can keep him in a genuine utility role, or you choose between him and Garver for Rochester, or you work an emergency trade to get Castro off the books for as much salary relief as you can negotiate with some other team. I am guessing the higher-ups turn thumbs down on any Castro trade FalVine can come up with, as it won't likely cover 100% of the salary. And Astudillo as utility guy is half-assing it in my book, since it only means "third base, maybe left field once a month if you have to, and first base which is easy to cover".

 

Mid-game at this writing, Astudillo's BA has slipped to only .538, so he might be the first to go.

[Riverbrian]

I've always felt they would have to choose between Astudillo and Garver. 

 

One will have to report to Rochester. I know whose name I would put on the plane ticket. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Astrudillo's fexibility may save him... I could see Adrianza still DFAd, especially when Sano comes back.

[TheLeviathan]

I know Castro is a great defensive catcher, but watching him hit makes me want to watch paint dry.

 

Him.  Please.

[Doomtints]

I'm surprised we are talking about Astudillo "turning into a pumpkin" with Castro sitting right there. Castro might not have a hit for the rest of his baseball career. The Twins should drop him down to 1 game per rotation.

[Doomtints]

 

 

I know Castro is a great defensive catcher, but watching him hit makes me want to watch paint dry.

 

Him.  Please.

 

He's a terrible defensive catcher. He's a finesse catcher.

[Jim Hahn]

He's a terrible defensive catcher. He's a finesse catcher.

I would tend to agree with this description of Castro. Or at least he seems below average. He doesn't block pitches well. He seems stiff back there. His arm is probably average but his release seems slow. His throw out % seem to reflect that. His framing is overrated. Pitchers seem to like pitching to him, which is very important. Unfortunately his offense appears to be declining as well.

 

If one of the catchers needs to go, I would prefer it to be Castro.

[Dman]

 

Astrudillo's fexibility may save him... I could see Adrianza still DFAd, especially when Sano comes back.

 

I am not  a huge Adrianza fan but he had a really good spring and I trust him at 2nd, 3rd and SS more than Marwin at this point.  I would hate to see him go at this point.  But your point is valid.  Once Sano comes back he and Marwin are a bit redundant and they have Torreyes at AAA so technically a replacement player if needed.  I guess we will find out soon enough.

[Channing1964]

I've always felt they would have to choose between Astudillo and Garver.

 

One will have to report to Rochester. I know whose name I would put on the plane ticket.

Im not sure you are right about that....The flexibility of Marwin, and the turtle makes it even easier to carry three catchers. Its gonna be aight. I doubt they are considering life without any of them. I predict Sano goes back to Rochester when he comes back. And not on a rehab assignment either.

[Shaitan]

Problems like this always sort themselves out. I'd rather have an "extra" at every position than be one short. 2 of the 3 have options. It might not be a popular clubhouse move, but those options will be used.

 

Part of the modern MLB 25-man roster is that it's really at least 30 deep with a constant rotation of bench options, extra arms, and injury replacements.

 

This isn't a Morneau vs. Mient...Dougie situation where it's league-average vs. all-star. Play the hot hand, balanced with defensive needs (since we're talking C). A year ago we were giving Bobby Wilson 3-4 starts each week. Be thankful and be patient.

[Channing1964]

Problems like this always sort themselves out. I'd rather have an "extra" at every position than be one short. 2 of the 3 have options. It might not be a popular clubhouse move, but those options will be used.

 

Part of the modern MLB 25-man roster is that it's really at least 30 deep with a constant rotation of bench options, extra arms, and injury replacements.

 

This isn't a Morneau vs. Mient...Dougie situation where it's league-average vs. all-star. Play the hot hand, balanced with defensive needs (since we're talking C). A year ago we were giving Bobby Wilson 3-4 starts each week. Be thankful and be patient.

Bobby Wilson OMG! Thanks for reminding me. last year the Falvines did everything wrong. I dont know who they have been talking to(Tom Kelly, Andy McPhail, maybe Ralph Houk?) but this year its A-Ok

[nicksaviking]

I’d dump Castro and keep Garver and Astudillo if push cane to shove. Both play other positions and both have much, much better bats.

 

Glove only catchers are DFA’d weekly, if for some reason one is needed they can grab one off of waivers any time.

[Linus]

Austudillo is the best hitter of the three and he is better behind the plate than Garvey. In fact I think he is more athletic than Castro and is his equal with the glove

[blindeke]

 

Bobby Wilson OMG! Thanks for reminding me. last year the Falvines did everything wrong. I dont know who they have been talking to(Tom Kelly, Andy McPhail, maybe Ralph Houk?) but this year its A-Ok

 

Don't forget about Corky Miller!

[ashbury]

I’d dump Castro

Depends on what you mean by "dump". Would you hold out for a trade where the new team absorbed the remainder of his $8M contract, regardless of the return of players? (Similarly, you could DFA and put him on waivers, and see if someone takes him off your hands.) Or, are you willing to eat some of the remaining contract? Or, even just release him and leave his money on the books?

 

Not to overplay the Pohlads Are Teh Cheap theme, but remember who's signing the checks. You may burn up some goodwill with your bosses, depending on your choice.

 

My own view is that it's too soon to cut ties, at that cost, and also that no other team will take his contract. So now what?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Still very early I get that, but Cron is looking good. That mitigates the loss of Austin (which seemed inevitable at some point).

[Riverbrian]

 

 I predict Sano goes back to Rochester when he comes back. And not on a rehab assignment either.

 

About 77 days in AAA should do the trick. 

[ChrisKnutson]

I wonder if Oakland would have interest in Castro, since Hundley isn’t looking that good and could form a platoon with the right handed hitting Phegley.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Does Castro have trade value? I’d think you could get a reasonable pitching prospect for him.

[stringer bell]

I like what Astudillo has done, but he has less than 120 PAs. With his insane contact skills, I don't think he could slump too much, but his numbers in the minors don't say superstar hitter. Also, with such a low walk rate, it does negate the low strikeout rate somewhat. I think it is defensible to wait awhile to believe in what Astudillo is capable of. No way do I think he should optioned, and I do think that the team should keep all three catchers on the roster for now.

 

Reality is that Castro isn't going anywhere. Yes, he hasn't started like house afire, but I think he should get about 50 PAs before suggesting he should mostly ride the bench.

 

What to do with Garver? Yes, he has an option, but I think he's shown he is a major league catcher, with a pretty good bat. For him to start less than 50 games would be unwise use of a roster spot.and wouldn't aid in Garver's development going forward. 

 

My solution would be to try to move Garver for a younger catcher (you know, like John Ryan Murphy) who would be the third catcher if one of the two got injured, who could step up in 2020 as a full-time major leaguer. 

[Craig Arko]

When Sano returns, option Cave.

[nicksaviking]

Depends on what you mean by "dump". Would you hold out for a trade where the new team absorbed the remainder of his $8M contract, regardless of the return of players? (Similarly, you could DFA and put him on waivers, and see if someone takes him off your hands.) Or, are you willing to eat some of the remaining contract? Or, even just release him and leave his money on the books?

 

Not to overplay the Pohlads Are Teh Cheap theme, but remember who's signing the checks. You may burn up some goodwill with your bosses, depending on your choice.

 

My own view is that it's too soon to cut ties, at that cost, and also that no other team will take his contract. So now what?

I don’t think Castro is a better overall baseball player than Garver or Astudillo, so I really don’t mind which method the Twins use to shed Castro.

 

Though I liked the five man bench; if they went back to that they can keep Castro as far as I’m concerned.

 

I also wouldn’t consider it a ‘giving up’ kind of move. When the Twins signed him there were no offensively able options available so they went with a defensive guy. Now they have options so he’s expendable.

[TheLeviathan]

 

 

Reality is that Castro isn't going anywhere. Yes, he hasn't started like house afire, but I think he should get about 50 PAs before suggesting he should mostly ride the bench.

 

It's not just this season.  Castro has a well established record as a below average hitter, even for a catcher. 

 

I like to roll with upside and Castro has absolutely zero upside.  Our other two options have much, much more.  (And considerably more downside, but I'm ok with that)

[ashbury]

When the Twins signed him there were no offensively able options available so they went with a defensive guy. Now they have options so he’s expendable.

That's the core of the argument I would give to my CEO in explaining the rationale to eat some/all of the remaining contract. "We paid $24M to cover the gaping hole in our lineup at catcher, giving us 3 years to develop someone younger. I thought we could do it in 2, but wanted some cushion. We've done that now."

 

I still expect most CEOs to turn thumbs down until later in the season. At least I tried.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I like what Astudillo has done, but he has less than 120 PAs. With his insane contact skills, I don't think he could slump too much, but his numbers in the minors don't say superstar hitter.

I don't know about "superstar" but Astudillo's last year-plus in the minors suggest he could be an all-star type bat, especially at catcher. The addition of power to his game has been huge. A 123 wRC+ over the last 435 PA in AAA, and nothing seems particularly fluky (for him) about those batting lines anymore (if anything, his AAA BABIP last year was low, at .255, and thus wRC+ could have been even higher).

 

He really needs to be starting every day now, either at C or 3B, and if he keeps it up, it will probably be worth making him the primary catcher and finding another solution at 3B.

[DocBauer]

You always hope for health and performance from your roster. We also know things don't work out that way, and if they are mild and temporary, injuries happen. This allows the shuffling of the roster, to at least some degree.

 

A decision doesn't have to be made today but the situation certainly deserves the attention and contemplation we are giving it.

 

The most important role for a catcher is handling the staff and receiving the ball. (That includes thjngs like blocking the plate). A catcher who hits and provides solid to good offense is a luxury and the offense comes second. (Not unlike SS). I think we all know this. That being said, quality offense can mitigate a dip in quality defense if the differential is not truly detrimental.

 

Just how good is Castro in his basic role of handling the staff and being a good receiver? How much worse is Garver and/or Astudillo? And does their offense, youth and potential outweigh Castro's Experience?

 

There are a lot of differing opinions right here at TD in regard to these questions. What's most important is what Rocco, his coaches and the FO think. While I like the guy and feel his value is much greater than so-so offense, (about league average or just below the past few seasons with some power), the fact is Castro is not signed after this year, both Garver and Austudillo are 4-5yrs younger, have better bats, and potential Castro does not.

 

IMO,the best case scenario from the Twins perspective would be a team in real need due to injury or severe drop off in performance and move Castro for a decent prosoect and acceptance of at least a portion of his contract. I feel obliged to point out, the "cheap" Pohlad's have allowed the FO to eat a fair amount of contract dollars for better returns over the past 2 season's. Something to remember/consider.

[jorgenswest]

I would keep all three. I don’t see anyone in AAA I want starting twice a week. Good defensive catchers will not be easy to find midseason. Trade Castro now followed by a concussion to Garver and the Twins are very thin at catcher especially if the increased load exposes Astudillo shortcomings defensively.

[Nine of twelve]

 

I would keep all three. I don’t see anyone in AAA I want starting twice a week. Good defensive catchers will not be easy to find midseason. Trade Castro now followed by a concussion to Garver and the Twins are very thin at catcher especially if the increased load exposes Astudillo shortcomings defensively.

Yes. We are talking about catching, the most physically grueling defensive position. Do not let any of them leave the organization at this time of year.

[Halsey Hall]

I wanted Castro gone last year, and haven't had any reason to change my mind. The other two can handle it. Just get what we can and move on into the season.