How Dire is the Twins Catching Situation?

[DJL44]

19 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

I would keep Jeffers for one more year and find a left-handed hitting catcher who plays good defense (has to be someone out there better than Leon hits right?) to go with him. 

Omar Narvaez is your best option in free agency.

[RpR]

9 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Omar Narvaez is your best option in free agency.

That would be a defense drop, from either Sanchez or Leon.

[Mike Sixel]

30 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

If they just re-allocate the $9M they're paying Gary Sanchez they can find a better catcher.

Did you see the list of free agents? I doubt that.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, GeorgiaBaller said:

Concentrate on the defense and tolerate the offense. 

Well yes, of course.  That's always been the roster strategy with the up-the-middle positions.  Catcher, shortstop, center field - you need guys who can flat-out play those positions.  The question is, what's the threshold below which you can not "tolerate" the offense?  We found out last year with Andrelton Simmons at SS, that a complete black hole in the batting order puts the team at a competitive disadvantage.  Celestino had the hot start but lately he's been in about that territory in CF.  We're seeing the same with Sandy Leon at C now.  No one is demanding a Mauer level of offense, but even a defense-first position has a limit on how much below "zero" you can achieve while preventing runs, so that chasing better and better gloves (with zero bat to go with them) reaches a point of diminishing return.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

That would be a defense drop, from either Sanchez or Leon.

Lefthanded hitting catchers are either All-Stars or complete scrubs.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Did you see the list of free agents? I doubt that.

If you're only looking at free agents then you're probably right. Sanchez is the #2 option after Willson Contreras.

[jorgenswest]

Should the base size change alter thinking about what we need from a catcher next year? Will there be more stolen base attempts? Will the ability to throw out runners be more valuable next year?

The league average for throwing out runners is 26%. Sanchez is at 33%, Jeffers 17% and Leon 11%. Sanchez has been one of the better catchers at throwing out runners this year and may be worth retaining.