Analyzing the Christian Vazquez/Ryan Jeffers Catching Combo

[Cody Christie]

Ryan Jeffers wasn't going to be the only catcher on the Twins' roster this year. With Christian Vazquez signed, how can the Twins get the most from the catcher role?

Image courtesy of Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Word broke on Monday evening that the Twins and Christian Vazquez had agreed to a three-year contract. Catcher was one of the team's glaring needs because Ryan Jeffers was the lone catcher on the 40-man roster. Vazquez and Jeffers don't form a perfect platoon, but each player provides strong defensive skills and the potential for offensive upside. 

Vazquez is 32 years old and served as Boston's primary catcher in recent seasons. He was traded to Houston at last year's trade deadline and helped the Astros to the World Series. Since 2018, he has the fifth-highest defensive runs saved among catchers. Last season, he ranked fifth among AL backstops in SABR's Defensive Index. He ranked in the 71st percentile for pop time to second base and in the 55th percentile in framing.

Offensively, Vazquez compiled strong offensive numbers from 2019-20 with the Red Sox. In 185 games, he hit .278/.327/.472 (.799) with 35 doubles, 30 home runs, and a 105 OPS+. His bat has cooled off over the last two campaigns (257 games) as his OPS+ dipped to 87 with 46 doubles and 15 home runs. Outside of Willson Contreras, he was the best available free-agent catcher. 

Vazquez has started 115 games or more at catcher in three consecutive seasons outside the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. On paper, the Twins are signing a full-time catcher, with Jeffers moving to a backup role. In recent years, the Twins have preferred having a two-catcher rotation with players roughly splitting time. It may be more logical to use Vazquez two-thirds of the time, with Jeffers getting one-third of the starts. 

When the Twins drafted him, many viewed Jeffers as a bat-first college catcher, but Twins scouts saw indications that he could be a very good defensive catcher too. He worked on pitch framing after signing with the Twins and ranked in the 66th percentile last season. Jeffers has yet to replicate his offensive output from his rookie season. In 2020, he hit .273/.355/.436 (.791) with three home runs and a 119 OPS+. Over the last two seasons, he has combined to hit .203/.277/.384 (.661) with an 85 OPS+. Minnesota entered last winter believing Jeffers could take on more of a full-time role, but those plans may have been altered with Vazquez's signing. 

Some thought the Twins might target a left-handed hitting catcher to pair with Jeffers, who is right-handed. It would form a more natural platoon, and Jeffers destroys lefties with an OPS 177 points higher. Vazquez also does better against southpaws, but his .731 OPS is only 49 points higher than when he faces righties. The Twins could try and match up Jeffers against lefties as much as possible, but that takes away favorable at-bats from Vazquez.

Minnesota could also convince Vazquez that playing fewer games can help his overall offensive numbers. If he starts 95 games instead of 115, his legs will have less wear and tear. This switch might help him stay healthy and improve his power numbers. The Twins can plan for Vazquez to start 95 games while Jeffers starts 60 games and other catchers fill in around the margins. 

Unfortunately, injuries are another part of the equation. Vazquez has caught nearly 5,500 innings behind the plate, so he has a lot of miles on his legs. As mentioned above, he has been relatively healthy in recent years. Jeffers has caught 1,329 innings but has never started more than 77 big-league games at catcher (2021 when he made 13 more starts in St. Paul). In 2022, Jeffers missed time with a broken thumb after having minor elbow surgery last offseason. During the 2021 season, he dealt with knee and heel injuries. Minnesota can hope Jeffers is healthy, but he's been limited the last two seasons. 

Vazquez was a clear target for the Twins, but the organization still lacks other options in the high minors. Minnesota will need other veteran options at the big-league level if and when injuries strike. What are your thoughts on the Vazquez signing? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[DJL44]

I agree that you may get more out of Vazquez if you play him less often. On the other hand, he just got paid a lot of money by the Twins and you want to use him less often? Their goal should be to get everything out of Vazquez while they can in 2023.

[RJA]

I think Farmer could catch in a pinch so it would also be possible to use both catchers as DH's a few times a month. I think the time sharing will work out just fine.  Not a lot of responses to this article though it is a good one.  Everyone is obsessed with the Correa storyn :)!

[DJL44]

4 minutes ago, RJA said:

use both catchers as DH's a few times a month

Tell me your team has a losing record without telling me your team has a losing record.

[gman]

With both catchers playing 75-90 games makes their catching position very strong. This should cement their catching position for the next couple of years and be one less position that needs to be addressed.

[RJA]

Tell me your team has a losing record without telling me your team has a losing record.

Yep!

[The Mad King]

I've been saying "Jeffers is gonna be an all star" for a couple years now. So obviously my expertise is limited to how much food I can ingest while WATCHING the games...

[roger]

Love this signing.  Have believed since the season’s end that catcher 1a was their #1 need this winter.  Hopefully, they will split game,s with Vazquez getting about 110 and Jeffers 52.  Seeing they don’t have that exciting prospect a half season away from being big league ready, they need to find a veteran who will sign a minor league contract?  You know, a vet who will work with the young pitchers at St Paul and be available to be called up when either catcher is injured.  Is Sandy Leon still available?

[DJL44]

8 minutes ago, roger said:

Seeing they don’t have that exciting prospect a half season away from being big league ready, they need to find a veteran who will sign a minor league contract?

Grab Mauricio Feliciano from the Brewers

[terrydactyls]

12 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Grab Mauricio Feliciano from the Brewers

Isn't he the blind singer who was popular 25 years ago?