Christian Vazuez Rumors

[Major League Ready]

If you have not seen, the Twins appear to be pretty aggressive about moving Vazquez.    Christian Vazquez Trade

 

[Vanimal46]

$10 million really isn’t that bad for a veteran C. If they’re aggressively shopping him, it makes me wonder if there is another major concern. Such as pitchers not liking throwing to him, or the FO thinking this is the start of his massive decline. 

[stringer bell]

29 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

$10 million really isn’t that bad for a veteran C. If they’re aggressively shopping him, it makes me wonder if there is another major concern. Such as pitchers not liking throwing to him, or the FO thinking this is the start of his massive decline. 

Twins pitchers sang Vázquez' praises during the season. I'm sure there is a little talking out of both sides of their mouths when discussing outings, but generally both receivers seemed to get along well with the pitching staff. 

The hitting might be a concern. Vázquez is 33, sometimes a steep dropoff can occur in the mid-thirties, but other guys go on and on. A mitt-first receiver can be found for a lot less money, if Jeffers is the primary catcher (maybe starting 100 games), but I think there is a risk involved in assuming health for catchers. The third catcher usually sees a lot of action on most clubs. 

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Twins pitchers sang Vázquez' praises during the season. I'm sure there is a little talking out of both sides of their mouths when discussing outings, but generally both receivers seemed to get along well with the pitching staff. 

The hitting might be a concern. Vázquez is 33, sometimes a steep dropoff can occur in the mid-thirties, but other guys go on and on. A mitt-first receiver can be found for a lot less money, if Jeffers is the primary catcher (maybe starting 100 games), but I think there is a risk involved in assuming health for catchers. The third catcher usually sees a lot of action on most clubs. 

And for me the money is the reason for the problem, not the problem itself. If you have a mitt-first catcher, I want the team to have the flexibility to option him or DFA him through the season. You probably don't do that with a guy still on the books for 20M.

[tony&rodney]

Gary Sanchez is the leading free agent catcher. Catching is so much more valuable than the print clippings they receive. If Vazquez gets traded, who gets signed? Austin Hedges for $4 M? The Twins used two catchers at the MLB level last year. I wonder how often a team gets through an entire season with only two catchers?

[nicksaviking]

44 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Gary Sanchez is the leading free agent catcher. Catching is so much more valuable than the print clippings they receive. If Vazquez gets traded, who gets signed? Austin Hedges for $4 M? The Twins used two catchers at the MLB level last year. I wonder how often a team gets through an entire season with only two catchers?

I'm personally looking forward to see Camargo and Cossetti, and if you have a back up like Hedges, Barnhart, Stallings or Alfaro on a small deal, the team isn't going to have to think too hard about replacing them if necessary*. And it's not like we're looking at significant changes in floors or ceilings between those guys and Vazquez.

*I can't stress the if necessary enough. I'm not saying to hand the job to the kids, just have an out from an underperforming vet in case it turns out to be the better option.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

I'm personally looking forward to see Camargo and Cossetti, and if you have a back up like Hedges, Barnhart, Stallings or Alfaro on a small deal, the team isn't going to have to think too hard about replacing them if necessary*. And it's not like we're looking at significant changes in floors or ceilings between those guys and Vazquez.

*I can't stress the if necessary enough. I'm not saying to hand the job to the kids, just have an out from an underperforming vet in case it turns out to be the better option.

I guess I'm responding to/thinking about the idea of trading Vazquez and paying half his salary in the process, only to need another backup which means another $4-5 M in salary. That is a bit of a merry-go-round.

Catching is hard to put in place. I look for options all the time. I was all in on paying way too much for J. T. Realmuto, which wasn't going to happen - that was understandable. I was hot for Gabriel Morena and proposed a ridiculous package of Twins for him, which was likely too rich for a rookie. And now if we look to move away from the steady Vazquez, there could be real problems.

I do wonder if the offensively challenged catchers, such as Maldonado and Hedges aren't fair choices until one runs into something better through accident or a trade or a draft choice. That in turn makes me question whether it might be a decent idea to see what can be acquired for sending out Ryan Jeffers. Then ... i think it might be best to stand pat at catcher. These are ideas to throw around.

[Parfigliano]

44 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I guess I'm responding to/thinking about the idea of trading Vazquez and paying half his salary in the process, only to need another backup which means another $4-5 M in salary. That is a bit of a merry-go-round.

Catching is hard to put in place. I look for options all the time. I was all in on paying way too much for J. T. Realmuto, which wasn't going to happen - that was understandable. I was hot for Gabriel Morena and proposed a ridiculous package of Twins for him, which was likely too rich for a rookie. And now if we look to move away from the steady Vazquez, there could be real problems.

I do wonder if the offensively challenged catchers, such as Maldonado and Hedges aren't fair choices until one runs into something better through accident or a trade or a draft choice. That in turn makes me question whether it might be a decent idea to see what can be acquired for sending out Ryan Jeffers. Then ... i think it might be best to stand pat at catcher. These are ideas to throw around.

Jeffers O and D is trending up.  Vasquez down.  If keeping one I'd keep Jeffers.

[Nine of twelve]

It's not hard to envision Jeffers being an All-star catcher in 2024. And if he's healthy I think he should be starting at least 100 games, hopefully a few more. That means the second major league catcher, whoever that is, will be a backup, not a co-starter as was the case in 2023. I'm not too concerned about who starts 1/3 of the games as long as he's satisfactory in that role.

[Squirrel]

For reference, this is also being discussed here:

 

[ICTwin25]

What a dud signing he was. I had high hopes, but now the team relies on Jeffers to consistently put it all together. Idk, this position feels like a crapshoot next year

[Brock Beauchamp]

There's a rumors forum now, please direct all rumor-based conversation to that forum.