What to Expect From New Twins Catcher José Godoy

[stringer bell]

Do we have any reports on Godoy's defense? I think the most important thing a third catcher needs to provide is major league defense. I like Rortvedt for that reason, and was disappointed that he was included in the Donaldson trade.

This season Godoy might be as good or better than Rortvedt, but it is doubtful that Godoy will ever advance beyond the role he has with the Twins. There is certainly more hope for Rortvedt to advance beyond that limited role.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Career minor league lines:
Rortvedt: 5 seasons, .241/.316/.355/.672
Godoy: 9 seasons, .276/.357/.366/.723

Why do we still talk about Rortvedt like he's got some sort of high hitting upside? He's never been scouted as a good future hitter and his numbers have never suggested he'd be a good future hitter. He doesn't have upside with the bat.

They've been in different hitting environments -- I notice all of Godoy's AAA experience has been in the hitter-friendly PCL to date. 

Since 2018, a season they both spent mostly in high-A despite Godoy being 3 years older, Rortvedt has a cumulative 106 wRC+ in the minor leagues (809 PA), as compared to Godoy's 102 (882 PA).

 

[Nashvilletwin]

50 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Yes, but you lose the DH, so the pitcher now hits in Player B’s spot in the order. 

Thank you for clearing up my neophyte question.

I guess that means we really should be carrying a 3rd catcher in the event Sanchez is DHing. 

[Nashvilletwin]

57 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Yes, but you lose the DH, so the pitcher now hits in Player B’s spot in the order. 

Thus the beauty of Jeffers/Rortvedt over Jeffers/Sanchez.

We would never have Jeffers in the DH slot - thus we could get away with having only two catchers on the 26 man roster. But if Sanchez is going to DH as much as people think he is, we are only a foul tip away from losing our DH for the rest of any game.

On a team like ours - with so many young players needing ABs and innings, that need for an extra catcher takes up a lot of valuable real estate. 

[LastOnePicked]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Rortvedt can be slightly better than that, but we need to quit talking about him like he's some great prospect.

This was a good discussion, with many good responses. The Rortvedt giveaway here is simply touching the same frayed nerve that stings with names like Gil, Baddoo and Wade Jr. It's the understandable fear that this FO just doesn't evaluate in-house talent very well, and that their roster moves bleed talent and WAR. If we're not going to be a team that signs free agents, assessing and keeping top young talent is their #1 job. And so far, they ain't too good at it.

But, it's done. Here's hoping that Godoy can carve out a solid backup stint here.

[Dave The Dastardly]

Weeping and gnashing of teeth does little more than further enriching your dentist. I instead have gazed into my crystal ball (actually an empty bottle of Jameson) and seen the future; Rortvedt will find his swing and replace the Twins "Big Pappi Nightmare", Sanchez will take one for the Gipper right in the groan, Godoy will get lost in Crosstown traffic, the Bat Signal will go out for the Turtle, the Front Office will say none of this could have been foreseen, or foresworn and TD fans will develop a sudden interest in ballet and say "tu-tu" and ta ta to Twins baseball.

I, in the meantime, who actually has real Irish blood coursing through his veins, shall seek out my emergency bottle of Jameson and spend the evening watching the "Quiet Man" with my wee bit of a lovely lass.

Maybe I'll get lucky and the Twins will sign a top-rated pitcher tonight. Take that as you might.

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

He's from Wisconsin.

ME TOO!

[RJA]

11 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

Weeping and gnashing of teeth does little more than further enriching your dentist. I instead have gazed into my crystal ball (actually an empty bottle of Jameson) and seen the future; Rortvedt will find his swing and replace the Twins "Big Pappi Nightmare", Sanchez will take one for the Gipper right in the groan, Godoy will get lost in Crosstown traffic, the Bat Signal will go out for the Turtle, the Front Office will say none of this could have been foreseen, or foresworn and TD fans will develop a sudden interest in ballet and say "tu-tu" and ta ta to Twins baseball.

I, in the meantime, who actually has real Irish blood coursing through his veins, shall seek out my emergency bottle of Jameson and spend the evening watching the "Quiet Man" with my wee bit of a lovely lass.

Maybe I'll get lucky and the Twins will sign a top-rated pitcher tonight. Take that as you might.

 

Great movie :).  I, too, have the "Irish blood coursing through" my veins.  As an Irish salute I will say to you what I say when entering the pub, "God Bless All Here."  Happy St. Paddy's Day.

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Thank you for clearing up my neophyte question.

I guess that means we really should be carrying a 3rd catcher in the event Sanchez is DHing. 

That’s why a lot of managers are reluctant to use their catcher as a DH. So, for example, Garver only DHed in three games last year, when his bat would have made him a candidate to do so more regularly. I didn’t go to the bother of looking it up, but my hunch is that it might have happened at times when Astudillo was on the roster. 

[rv78]

Rortvedt hasn't been a big bat for the Twins but now that he's a Yankee I'd be willing to bet he'll find it. We all know why the trade was made. the Twins value money over talent and their desire to unload the big Donaldson contract cost them talent. Pure, plain and simple.... money over talent. I's not hard to read between the lines.

[DocBauer]

Personally, I don't believe Sanchez is going to get a ot of time at DH, barring a HUGE turnaround in his career. I'd be happy as can be if he could just provide experience and simply hit in the .220-.230 range with power as the #2, for about 1/3 of games caught, and probably be done by the end of the season. I think we can easily see better options at DH; Arrzez and Sano jump to mind immediately.

And I don't expect a lot from Godoy. I'm hoping his defense is solid. He's only 27yo, bats LH, and while possessing little power, he hit fairly well in milb and his OB was solid. If he's got some defensive chops, he's going to be the 3rd catcher and spend all or most of his season in St Paul, barring injury issues. 

This isn't how I mapped out a re-tool, but I'm not anxious about a fairly young 3rd catcher with at least some hitting potential. I'm more anxious about what is waiting to be done.

[wsnydes]

4 hours ago, ashbury said:

Third-string catchers belong one phone call away at AAA, but Sanchez does seem to be a special case.  In which case, we need catcher #4 waiting in the wings, and he needs to be MLB-caliber (well, AAAA like Godoy).

I'm conflicted about this.  Do I want a roster full of catchers or hit first corner types?  

Decisions, decisions...

[wsnydes]

12 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

That’s why a lot of managers are reluctant to use their catcher as a DH. So, for example, Garver only DHed in three games last year, when his bat would have made him a candidate to do so more regularly. I didn’t go to the bother of looking it up, but my hunch is that it might have happened at times when Astudillo was on the roster. 

This is one of the few things that I liked about having Astudillo on the roster.  He did provide flexibility in many ways, which I like.

[ScottyB]

With all the money we’ve got available, why not sign Wilson Ramos. He’s the best catching option left and would be more valuable as a veteran catcher than Godoy.

[Whitey333]

Isn't it just sad that we are even in a position as an organization that we are supposed to get excited about a fourth or fifth string catcher in Godoy? If the FO doesn't significantly improve this major league roster in the next two weeks how does 95-100 losses sound?  We made one good addition in Gray.  The jury is still very much out on the rest.  The current roster is a mess.  Come on Twins.  Finish what you started.  Or is what you started only to reduce payroll and not be competitive?

[mikelink45]

Thanks to the FO we are debating waiver wire pickups that have already been dropped by two teams and ST just started.  Plus we debate Urshela at SS/3B and the Yankees are laughing.  There were more RP signed today so now we can go back to talking about Thorpe because what else can we do? The Red Sox are now interested in Story, but the important things is that we called him.  Every team needs catchers in the minors - so we trade two and pick up a filler.  I need some real news.  I listened to a NY radio talk show this evening and they are gloating about getting rid of Sanchez even though they cannot pronounce Rortvedt and weren't that excited about getting him.  Sorry for the rambling. 

[Doctor Gast]

Under the circumstances he's a good pick up

[Jacksson]

The trade from which the Twins received Sanchez and Urshela was not about either player.  This trade was all about dumping Donaldson..  We had to take those two for the Yankees to agree to take Donaldson AND the twins throwing in Kiner-Falefa and Rortvedt (neither of whom the Twins WANTED to trade) were also REQUIRED to be included from the Twins side.  This trade was only about getting out from under the two remaining years of Donaldson's contract.  And who were the brain wizards that that made THIS trade?  The same two-some that signed Donaldson in the first place,  Jimmy Pohlad is a happy camper knowing that he is out from under the $50 MM owed to him for 2022, 2023, and the 2024 buyout ANY team even remotely interested in either Sanchez  (7 M final yr arbitration) or Urshela (6.5 M final yr arbitration) will be greeted by a receptive front office and owner.  Unless either is dumped before or during the season, they will be allowed to become free agents and will not be with the 2023 Twins.  (Unless Sano is dumped either before or during the season, he will be allowed to become a free agent and will not be with the 2023 Twins).

[Richie the Rally Goat]

55 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

This is one of the few things that I liked about having Astudillo in the roster.  He did provide flexibility in many ways, which I like.

Kind of, as things went on he caught less and less, reducing his flexibility and as an increasingly corner fielder needed to hit better to provide value.

that’s where I’m at with Sanchez too. If he’s not catching he needs to hit better.

[Rosterman]

What to expect? A 40-man roster spot. Of course, Rortvedt was also expected to stay on the 40-man and start the season at AAA St. Paul.

 

[AceWrigley]

And . . . a 14-1 pasting at the hands of the Red Sox to start the spring (we did get 2 hits though) just adds some extra juice to our current roster angst. Why do we always seem to start out like we're 2 weeks behind everybody else?

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Thanks to the FO we are debating waiver wire pickups that have already been dropped by two teams and ST just started.  Plus we debate Urshela at SS/3B and the Yankees are laughing.  There were more RP signed today so now we can go back to talking about Thorpe because what else can we do? The Red Sox are now interested in Story, but the important things is that we called him.  Every team needs catchers in the minors - so we trade two and pick up a filler.  I need some real news.  I listened to a NY radio talk show this evening and they are gloating about getting rid of Sanchez even though they cannot pronounce Rortvedt and weren't that excited about getting him.  Sorry for the rambling. 

No reason to be sorry. You are spot on. 

[wsnydes]

7 hours ago, Sconnie said:

Kind of, as things went on he caught less and less, reducing his flexibility and as an increasingly corner fielder needed to hit better to provide value.

that’s where I’m at with Sanchez too. If he’s not catching he needs to hit better.

Right.  I was never crazy about Astudillo's defense anywhere, but he could at least play in many places without completely embarrassing himself.  And that works fine in a pinch.

And yes, I pretty much view Sanchez the same way as you.

[bighat]

15 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Why do we still talk about Rortvedt like he's got some sort of high hitting upside?

I know, it's bizarre. We lost our 3rd string catcher and people are acting like the Twins have forsaken their future at the position for years to come. Maybe it's just the culture of the internet now? There seem to be two options: you can be super excited or angry and bitter. If you don't love the trade, that means you HATE the trade. No middle ground. Also, many people think that if the Yankees wanted Rortvedt, he must have potential, and us poor Midwestern rubes just got swindled by some big city slickers. 

Relax everyone. Twins traded their 3rd string catcher, we signed a guy off waivers who has some experience to take care of things. The end, let's move on and talk about the pieces that matter.

[mikelink45]

50 minutes ago, bighat said:

I know, it's bizarre. We lost our 3rd string catcher and people are acting like the Twins have forsaken their future at the position for years to come. Maybe it's just the culture of the internet now? There seem to be two options: you can be super excited or angry and bitter. If you don't love the trade, that means you HATE the trade. No middle ground. Also, many people think that if the Yankees wanted Rortvedt, he must have potential, and us poor Midwestern rubes just got swindled by some big city slickers. 

Relax everyone. Twins traded their 3rd string catcher, we signed a guy off waivers who has some experience to take care of things. The end, let's move on and talk about the pieces that matter.

After Garver was traded he was our second catcher, not third and most of us do not want Sanchez catching.  On the NY station I listened to last night they were laughing that the Yankees reduced their K rate by getting rid of Sanchez and then they laughed and said K rate on both offense and defense. 

[In My La Z boy]

11 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Under the circumstances he's a good pick up

Thank you. Best comment. Sad circumstances indeed. Basically trading 2 of our best 3 catchers to unload the Donaldson contract (by the same people who signed him to that contract). Yesterday's showing was also discouraging. We started our "A" team, and they didn't. Our defense yesterday looked awful on the left side - will hope Miranda has a great glove to go along with the great bat. We need a shortstop obviously. Pitching obviously. 

[Doctor Gast]

47 minutes ago, In My La Z boy said:

Thank you. Best comment. Sad circumstances indeed. Basically trading 2 of our best 3 catchers to unload the Donaldson contract (by the same people who signed him to that contract). Yesterday's showing was also discouraging. We started our "A" team, and they didn't. Our defense yesterday looked awful on the left side - will hope Miranda has a great glove to go along with the great bat. We need a shortstop obviously. Pitching obviously. 

Well said couldn't agree with you more

[Thebigalguy]

He’s utility at best, barring a surprise. I hope our FO isn’t done wheeling and dealing after sending Donaldson and the new SS to the Yanks. We had a good defense on the field for what? 12 hours?

[bighat]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

After Garver was traded he was our second catcher, not third and most of us do not want Sanchez catching.  On the NY station I listened to last night they were laughing that the Yankees reduced their K rate by getting rid of Sanchez and then they laughed and said K rate on both offense and defense. 

Fair enough. Rortvedt batted .169 last year, just in case you or anyone else here needed a refresher on his offensive capabilities.

Sanchez might be more of a natural DH in my opinion.....so maybe without having to catch much he'll be able to focus on hitting only. Maybe he DH'es for the Twins 4-5 days a week and catches once every couple weeks. With Jeffers and Godoy sharing most of the duties behind the plate we might be just fine at the C position.

[Johnny Ringo]

I wish Rortvedt all good luck but he reminds me of a girl we never paid much attention to until she started dating a friend of ours. Now he is filled with mystical qualities and intrigue.

Godoy seems likes Sanchez buyer's remorse. Sanchez is a "catcher" like I am "golfer". If he is flippable, I would flip. The sensical thing, of course, is to put Kirilloff at first (a big upgrade over Sano defensively) and put Sano at DH (a big upgrade over Sanchez). Pairing Sanchez with a young pitching staff is like pairing Charlie Sheen with your car keys.