Twins Could Swing Blockbuster With Red Sox

[Ted Schwerzler]

There has been plenty of talk surrounding the Boston Red Sox's desire to lower their payroll this offseason. While the Minnesota Twins are also seeking to do that, could there be interest in the sides shuffling money around? A catcher-for-reliever swap could make sense.

Image courtesy of © David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota hasn’t done much work with Boston in recent years. They did get involved in the Mookie Betts deal with the Dodgers that sent Brusdar Graterol to Los Angeles in exchange for Kenta Maeda, but because Boston had balked at Graterol's medicals, that ended up being two separate deals. Technically, the last time these two clubs were involved in a trade that didn't just send the Sox a middling role player after the Twins had fallen out of contention was the Nomar Garciaparra blockbuster in 2004. Thad Levine flirted with the idea of joining the front office before Craig Breslow ultimately took the job, though, and Breslow then scooped away minor-league pitching coordinator Justin Willard. For the first time in a while, there are close ties between the two franchises' leadership groups.

When looking at the Red Sox, now run by the former Twins reliever, Minnesota may be interested in a couple of different players. Reliever Chris Martin stands out, and so does starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. Boston already traded Chris Sale from the rotation, though, and Lucas Giolito doesn’t necessarily make Pivetta expendable. Martin is owed $9.5 million in 2024, so his departure would move the salary needle, but maybe not by enough.

Of course, the Twins' key players with the potential to be moved have been heavily dissected. Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler are available, but neither is an ideal fit for Boston. Masataka Yoshida and Tyler O’Neill already man the corners, and Kepler isn’t likely to play center field for a new organization, either. Polanco isn’t taking over at shortstop for Trevor Story, Rafael Devers plays third base, and Vaughn Grissom was just acquired as (probably) the second baseman of the present and future. Maybe Kyle Farmer provides intrigue as a lower-cost utility option, but let's dream a bit bigger.

Christian Vázquez won a World Series with the Red Sox back in 2018, and Minnesota is motivated to shed his salary as a backup behind Ryan Jeffers, whose star-caliber upside Gregg Masterson capably highlighted earlier today. Boston’s only current catchers are Reese McGuire and Connor Wong, neither established nor high-ceiling commodities. Maybe they would prefer a veteran backstop who provides some familiarity within the organization, and who might work to get more out of young pitchers like Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock, and Kutter Crawford.

Of course, the Red Sox aren’t adding Vázquez and his $20 million in remaining salary as is, so the Twins need to take something hefty back. Enter Kenley Jansen.

The longtime closer has been a subject of trade discussions for much of the offseason. Boston is very interested in unloading his $16-million salary in 2024. This wouldn’t be wiping it all away, but it provides cost savings and allows for a different position to be addressed. Minnesota would likely need to throw in some money or an additional prospect to make up the difference in abilities, but a move could help both teams.

Rocco Baldelli doesn’t necessarily need a closer with Jhoan Durán entrenched in the role, but improving the bullpen on the back end is hardly a bad course of action. Given that he’s worked almost exclusively in the ninth inning, that’s exactly where Jansen would go for Minnesota. Certain arms are just meant to stick there, and he is one of them. This would allow Baldelli the opportunity to again deploy Durán as a roving hitman, with the ability to come in during any important opponent rally and quell it. From a financial perspective, the Twins wouldn’t hate an opportunity to stifle future arbitration earnings either, and limiting Duran’s save opportunities would accomplish that.

Beyond just a change in the closer role, there are additional ripple effects where adding to the best of the bullpen proves beneficial. Brock Stewart’s health will always remain a question mark, and Griffin Jax went through bouts of shakiness last season. Jansen is not the dominant arm he was four or five years ago, but he still works as a high-leverage reliever, with significant experience and quality stuff. Minnesota pairing him with Durán in some capacity would significantly boost an already-intriguing bullpen.

Exactly how a deal of this sort would come together is hard to say. The framework is primarily rooted in the idea of shifting dollars, and the Twins taking on more doesn’t fit with their plan to shed. Aside from Addison Reed, they haven’t ever spent on the bullpen under this regime. That said, the desire for Boston to cut dollars could allow Minnesota to swoop in and acquire an arm that may have otherwise been an impossibility.

It isn’t as though Minnesota is currently up against their self-imposed limit, however, and Jansen doesn’t exactly stretch them either. They’d be taking on just $6 million in this swap, after accounting for the loss of Vázquez's salary, and it would push the current payroll outlay just above $120 million. That’s before making decisions regarding Kyle Farmer, Max Kepler, and Jorge Polanco, as well. If this is seen as an opportunity to enhance the overall roster while making a relatively modest commitment, the financial implications should be moot.

What do you think? Would you rather see Minnesota pay a bit more for a high-leverage arm, or hang onto Vázquez as the backup and commit significant dollars to the position? What else would Boston ask for to get this done?

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[DJL44]

Keep Vazquez. He makes all the pitchers better.

[SteveLV]

Vasquez for Jansen is a blockbuster?

[nicksaviking]

Fine by me, but I don't think I see the draw for the Red Sox. Connor Wong doesn't look like a world beater, but he looks better than Vazquez and he has five years of control left. If you're rebuilding, are you really going to bump him just to bring back an old flame you made no effort to keep a year ago?

[Cory Engelhardt]

I prefer to keep Vazquez. This move doesn't move the needle for me.

[Ted Schwerzler]

22 minutes ago, SteveLV said:

Vasquez for Jansen is a blockbuster?

There’s a lot of money involved, and definitely a big name

[Karbo]

Keep Vazquez. Twins were very lucky last year that neither catcher missed time due to injury. Getting rid of their best defensive catcher would leave them in trouble if Jeffers had to miss time.

[Doctor Gast]

Keep Vazquez & trade Jeffers for a frontline SP. The only player I'm interested in BOSOX is Teal.

[Cris E]

The Twins don't really have any catching depth. It's very unusual to only use two catchers in a year and our next man up is quite young so he should be playing every day, not sitting on the bench with the big club watching games. This is making things up to get clicks, not a serious trade. Hope you enjoy the traffic from Boston though. 

 

[wabene]

Keep Vasquez one more year. Chances are one of the catchers will be injured at some point this year and we will get a look at Camargo to see what we have for depth.

[DJL44]

The Red Sox should be looking to trade relievers Martin and Jansen but they might get a better return at the deadline when half the contract is paid down. The Twins won't want to pay the price for either of them.

Looking over the Red Sox roster I think Nick Gordon for Rob Refsnyder could work but that's hardly a blockbuster deal.

Nick Pivetta is a great fit for the Twins rotation on a 1 year $7.5M deal before he reaches free agency. When he's good, he's very good. If he puts together a consistently good season he could be worth a qualifying offer. That's who I'd ask about.

[nicksaviking]

It's not like if the Twins traded Vazquez, they wouldn't pick up a cheap alternative. Curt Casali, Gary Sanchez Mike Zunino or Yasmani Grandal are still available.

[Paul D]

The Sox need a catcher who can run a pitching staff. They know Vazquez is worth more thsn his batting stats.

I would stay clear of Jansen and would only bargain if Martin or Pivetta is in the deal. 

They may have interest if Farmer is in a deal but only if the Twins hold some money. They have 2B and SS covered but they can use a backup guy for both of them and a weak fielding Devers.

[JD-TWINS]

5 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

It's not like if the Twins traded Vazquez, they wouldn't pick up a cheap alternative. Curt Casali, Gary Sanchez Mike Zunino or Yasmani Grandal are still available.

Sanchez had a pretty bright 6-10 weeks in San Diego in ‘23……,Twins know him………doubt there’s enough savings in salary to pick him up if Vazquez was moved. Casali can catch (I live in Cinti.) but similar to Vazquez Offense from ‘23……,cheaper & reasonable defensive replacement.

………….

I’d target my favorite offseason topic, Devin Williams. Former Hader set-up guy. Closer for last 1.3 years. Could swing either way for Twins. Only $7.25M this year after arbitration settlement. ….,quite different than a potentially washed Kenny Jansen at $17M.

Williams has 2 years of control left. Our bullpen becomes elite with his addition!

Trade nearly anyone needed to get this done….,,…….no Lee - Lewis - Jenkins……no everyday starters. Other prospects - Vazquez (with cash incentives to trade partner, Milwaukee) - Polanco - Miranda - Larnach - Gordon - Festa - E. Rodriguez - other prospects?

[gman]

Pissing off Duran by bouncing him around in the bullpen could be a block buster. Unless they plan to trade Duran next winter I'd not do this, or else tell Jansen he is the bounce around reliever.

[TopGunn#22]

This only works (Vasquez for Jansen) if the Twins are serious about moving Duran to the rotation.  Just saw a post on DN regarding THAT.  The Twins only tick Duran off if they bounce him all over the place as a "high leverage hitman."  Duran has earned his chance to start or close, but not to be jerked around.

I think Boston's familiarity with Vasquez is what gives this type of move any legs.  But again, it also only works for the Twins unless Duran transitions to the rotation as our #2.  What would the end game be beyond this season?  Jansen isn't coming back.  Who's the Twins closer for 2025?  Canterino? Varland?  Back to Duran? 

There is no guarantee Duran would make a seamless, injury free transition to #2 starter throwing 150+ innings.  There's less uncertainty if Canterino stays healthy and pitches well.  Same with Varland.  But with all the risk for the Twins, the unknowns, and the addition of $6 million in payroll I'd rather just stick with the status quo if Vasquez as a part time, $10 million dollar catcher and Duran as my closer.   

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, Cris E said:

 Hope you enjoy the traffic from Boston though.

The Massachusetts Turnpike through Allston and Newton during the afternoon commute is brutal.  Do not recommend.

This trade proposal is incomplete without addressing how to shore up catching if Vazquez is moved.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

It's not like if the Twins traded Vazquez, they wouldn't pick up a cheap alternative. Curt Casali, Gary Sanchez Mike Zunino or Yasmani Grandal are still available.

Sanchez would be nice to have; not sure why he floats around the league.

 

[Rik19753]

According to baseball trade values, the difference in value between Vazquez and Jansen is approximately Marco Raya or David Festa. I suspect it would be a little less in actuality, but even then, I can't see Falvey paying such a high price to offload Vazquez only one year after signing him.

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, gman said:

Pissing off Duran by bouncing him around in the bullpen could be a block buster. Unless they plan to trade Duran next winter I'd not do this, or else tell Jansen he is the bounce around reliever.

Or maybe it's time to see if Duran can be that number 2 starter , Duran was a starter in the minors with no experience as a reliever , but injuries  derailed  his minor leagues as a starter and he made the team as a reliever in 2022 out of spring training  ...

Just a thought  ...

[Blyleven2011]

Ted the last time the twins traded with Boston was at the deadline in 2021 , Hansel robles to Boston  for alex scherff  ...

[adorduan]

1 hour ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Ted the last time the twins traded with Boston was at the deadline in 2021 , Hansel robles to Boston  for alex scherff  ...

Blockbuster!!!😁

[Jacksson]

Sounds like a prime opportunity for a three or four team trade in which everybody gets what they want/need.

[Otaknam]

If there are other experienced catchers available, likely at a lower cost than Vasquez. Since Boston is reducing salary why would they want him and his $12 million salary? They can find another way to trade Janson and acquire young talent. As for the Twins,  I would take Vasquez for Janson for a bullpen role, but not assume he is now the closer. And I wouldn’t include anyone in the Twins top 15 prospects to make this work. And no to moving Duran to a starting role, as has been suggested. He is elite as a closer and those aren’t easy to find either.