Offseason Handbook: Time to Choose Between Christian Vázquez and Ryan Jeffers - Caretaker Exclusive

[Matthew Trueblood]

The historic hiccup that is the Twins' singularly even distribution of catcher playing time has to end, now, for the sake of the team. Which guy should they keep?

Image courtesy of © John Hefti-Imagn Images

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When the Twins signed Christian Vázquez for three years and $30 million prior to 2023, it was a perfectly reasonable move. He's underperformed slightly, relative to expectations, but in much greater part, the fault for how badly his deal suits the team now falls on ownership. You can spend $15 million on the catcher position, as the Twins will have to do if they don't trade either Vázquez or Ryan Jeffers this winter, if your overall payroll is pressing toward $180 million, as the team's behavior right up until their elimination from last year's postseason suggested they would. Once it stalled out south of $160 million, and especially once it plunged back downward from there, the pact became onerous.

Imagine how obvious this choice could be, if Ryan Jeffers were just a bit more consistently in contact with his talent. At times, the younger of the Twins' timeshare backstops looks like a good framer and game-caller. At times, he looks like a star-caliber slugger, especially adjusting for his position. At times, he even looks like a situational hitting ace, using the big part of the field expertly when there's a runner on third and less than two outs. Alas, at other times, he looks as bad as any player in baseball—worse, even, than the aged husk of Vázquez, even offensively.

Though Jeffers had an above-average OPS this year, whereas Vázquez had one south of .600; though Jeffers will still cost less than half what Vázquez will in 2025, as he begins the arbitration process; and though he's more than half a decade younger, it's not clear that Jeffers is the better player. The Twins need to trade one of these two, to create even a scintilla of flexibility for upgrades elsewhere on the roster. Jeffers, being younger, is probably better suited to take on the resulting increase in workload if he sticks around, and Vázquez has more money attached to him. But could the front office clear his whole salary? And if Jeffers would bring back meaningfully more in a trade, does that make him the better candidate?

It really comes down to: What do you want from your catchers?

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[Craig Arko]

I don’t think so.

[DJL44]

There is no catcher pipeline. They need to make a trade for some other team's prospect. They can't afford to pay retail prices for catchers.

[Blyleven2011]

As always , I still think the catcher is the leader on the field ( or used to be ) , from a catcher you need defense  , blocking pitches , throwing out runners  , if he hits , it's a plus  ...

Years ago you also had shortstops with great defense but couldn't hit ,  now you have plus defenders and alot of them are plus hitters ...

If you trade jeffers and keep Vazquez  , you have a problem for 2026  , I do prefer Vazquez defense and savvy behind the plate  ...

Jeffers trade would get value back but you might have to offer alittle more in trade to get that value , the value we need back is a solid defensive catcher that can hit 260 or better ...

There out there , but very few ...

[Cory Engelhardt]

I like the thought process of getting a different catcher in a trade of Jeffers (plus) and pairing that new/younger catcher with Vazquez for a year. I would hope that whatever catcher they do bring in can catch at minimum to the level the Jeffers currently was defensively.

Good thought process. 

[Byrdman]

Jair Caramgo i still in our system. was he not a ok hitter and ok backstop?  Just needs reps and time.  I will trave Vazquez and roll with Caramgo and Jeffers.  Jeffers is going to catch 110 games anyway. If we did get a catcher injury we could be in a world of hurt but we can always just sign a veteran catcher and stash them in AAA.  Trading Jeffers is the wrong idea.

[bean5302]

This nonsense is getting old about some sort of choice between Vazquez and Jeffers. Writers are just wasting people's time and their own credibility.

[DocBauer]

If i had to choose? I'd keep Jeffers since he's a much better offensive player, is younger, still has upside, is less expensive, and we have him beyond this season.

Kind of a no brainer if you ask me.

I do wonder if they might put together a package of 2 or 3 top 30 prospects to grab a young catcher from someone else. 

It would make the trading of Vazquez easier, IF they determine that want and/or need to.

[gman]

If they had to chop most of ten million off the payroll, then Vazquez is your only option. With 1 year left on his contract they would only create a giant hole by trading Jeffers.

At the end of the day there are only 2 holes on the roster. Left handed reliever and owner. I don't know which is more valuable or more difficult to find.

[DJL44]

39 minutes ago, Byrdman said:

Jair Caramgo i still in our system. was he not a ok hitter and ok backstop? 

He's below average at both. A combination of Vazquez bat and Jeffers glove.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I like the thought process of getting a different catcher in a trade of Jeffers (plus) and pairing that new/younger catcher with Vazquez for a year. I would hope that whatever catcher they do bring in can catch at minimum to the level the Jeffers currently was defensively.

Good thought process. 

The idea of rolling with the status quo plus a couple of minor league invite relief pitchers and then trying to find a catcher next year doesn't seem like much of a plan to me. 

The offseason seems like a time when the people on Twins Daily throw out ideas for putting together a competitive team that has a better than even chance to increase their standing in the AL Central in 2025. Now, if folks believe that the current roster is just fine, it is perfectly fair to say so. Falvey has more or less stated this as his position. 

I sure don't have a clear answer and realize my belief in the need for some change is up against a wall. A few ideas that may be trashed by readers or opponent GMs .... trade Brooks Lee for Jeferson Quero. I have thought that adding Ryan Jeffers plus a guy like C. J. Culpepper to Lee might return Devin Williams plus Quero, but I'll stick with the original one for one. Sticking with the tone of adding a catcher .... trade Pablo Lopez and Jose Miranda for Kyle Teel and Tristan Casas. These are just ideas (I have a couple more) and teams are reluctant to give up their top prospects unless the return is strong, just as teams are stubborn about losing a top of the rotation pitcher no matter the return. Anyone else remember Milt Pappas for Frank Robinson? For those unfamiliar, the overwhelming consensus favored the Reds and felt the Orioles were getting a guy who had maybe a year or two left in him.

[Parfigliano]

If the opportunity to part with Vazquez arises take it

[purplesoldier4u]

Well, one has reached his peak and will only get worse while the other may never be great but has some upside ... I think.

[Jocko87]

Quote

The historic hiccup that is the Twins' singularly even distribution of catcher playing time has to end, now, for the sake of the team.

I reject this premise.  Words matter.

I reject the premise that they can save money moving a catcher.  If there was a youngster beating down the door, sure, but having to spend nearly the same money why would they change the working relationship with a young pitching staff? 

It's very hard to make the team better by moving either player.

[RpR]

They both are staying.

[DJL44]

It might be a good year to sign Jeffers to a multi-year contract. They certainly don't have anyone else in the near-term. He's only made $3M in his career so far. A 3 year contract takes him to age 30. Vazquez and his $10M drops off the books next season. Would Jeffers sign for $4M/$7M/$10M with a $10M option / $1M buyout for 2028?

[Blyleven2011]

36 minutes ago, RpR said:

They both are staying.

You've been looking into your crystal ball . 

[Doctor Gast]

Why did we sign expensive FA Vazquez in the 1st place? #1 we had & still don't have anyone in the system to be a back catcher except Jeffers. #2 Jeffers isn't a primary catcher, Jeffers is a very good hitting, average-ish defensive backup catcher with a below-average arm. But when asked to do primary catcher duties his production both offensively & especially defensively noticeably drops. You look at Jeffers's numbers throughout his career this observation is true. 

Jeffers 2 yrs. from now will be eligible for FA. My guess Falvey has planned from the start that Jeffers would be the Twins' future primary catcher. As Boras as his agent Jeffers will get top primary catcher dollar for a backup catcher. While we still need a good primary catcher. FA is too expensive, Conger still has done nothing to come up with a viable MLB-ready catcher prospect now or anytime soon. We needed to trade for a young MLB-ready catcher before but now is better than never.

So who do we keep? let's look at the facts (not hope). '22 Jeffers was asked to do primary catcher duties- he crashed & burned, his trade value bottomed out to around 3. '23 signed Vazquez to take the burden off Jeffers-  he excelled & his trade value raised to 28.5 (we should have traded him then). '24 declared primary catcher but duties were shared equally, Jeffers was used a lot as DH when he was hitting well. As the season dragged on, Jeffers #s again waned & his trade value dropped to 13.1. '25 if we trade Vazquez, Jeffers (not a primary catcher) for real will be asked to do primary catcher duties & Carmargo (not a backup catcher) will be asked to do backup duties. This scenario will produce '22-type results, is that worth shaving off $10M, minus the money that MN will have to pay down?

Vazquez's defense has only gotten better longer he gets to know the pitchers & his hitting has gotten better. Again in trade, we'd have to pay down his salary. While Jeffers is still worth something, if held onto to do primary catching duties & resemble his '22 year, we'd might have to pay something to trade him when we finally realize he's not a primary catcher worth paying for an exuberant extension.

For many this seems complicated but IMO it's very simple & I'd do it before. That is to trade Jeffers ($4.7M) while he's worth something, trade for a backup catcher (Joey Bart, PIT) & Drew Romo as the 3rd catcher to be the future catcher. I'd keep Vazquez to mentor these young catchers because I don't trust Conger to do his job. In '26, Vazquez would walk free & we'd be free from the $10M. For '25 besides Jeffers $4.7M we can also cut in other places like Paddack $7.5M.

[RpR]

52 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

You've been looking into your crystal ball . 

YES, I found the site that sells them so I can now make predictions like so many have about the rookie crop.

[Parfigliano]

34 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Why did we sign expensive FA Vazquez in the 1st place? #1 we had & still don't have anyone in the system to be a back catcher except Jeffers. #2 Jeffers isn't a primary catcher, Jeffers is a very good hitting, average-ish defensive backup catcher with a below-average arm. But when asked to do primary catcher duties his production both offensively & especially defensively wanes. You look at Jeffers's numbers throughout his career this observation is true. 

Jeffers 2 yrs. from now will be eligible for FA. My guess Falvey has planned from the start that Jeffers would be the Twins' future primary catcher. As Boras as his agent Jeffers will get top primary catcher dollar for a backup catcher. While we still need a good primary catcher. FA is too expensive, Conger still has done nothing to come up with a viable MLB-ready catcher prospect now or anytime soon. We needed to trade for a young MLB-ready catcher before but now is better than never.

So who do we keep? let's look at the facts (not hope). '22 Jeffers was asked to do primary catcher duties- he crashed & burned, his trade value bottomed out to around 3. '23 signed Vazquez to take the burden off Jeffers-  he excelled & his trade value raised to 28.5 (we should have traded him then). '24 declared primary catcher but duties were shared equally, Jeffers was used a lot as DH when he was hitting well. As the season dragged on, Jeffers #s again waned & his trade value dropped to 13.1. '25 if we trade Vazquez, Jeffers (not a primary catcher) for real will be asked to do primary catcher duties & Carmargo (not a backup catcher) will be asked to do backup duties. This scenario will produce '22-type results, is that worth shaving off $10M, minus the money that MN will have to pay down?

Vazquez's defense has only gotten better longer he gets to know the pitchers & his hitting has gotten better. Again in trade, we'd have to pay down his salary. While Jeffers is still worth something, if held onto to do primary catching duties & resemble his '22 year, we'd might have to pay something to trade him when we finally realize he's not a primary catcher worth paying for an exuberant extension.

For many this seems complicated but IMO it's very simple & I'd do it before. That is to trade Jeffers ($4.7M) while he's worth something, trade for a backup catcher (Joey Bart, PIT) & Drew Romo as the 3rd catcher to be the future catcher. I'd keep Vazquez to mentor these young catchers because I don't trust Conger to do his job. In '26, Vazquez would walk free & we'd be free from the $10M. For '25 besides Jeffers $4.7M we can also cut in other places like Paddack $7.5M.

Sounds to me maybe the question should be why are we paying Conger?

[gmwannabe]

The Twins don't really have a choice. They're not signing a free agent, and nobody is going to give up a good starting catcher or a top catching prospect in a trade unless we give up 1 or 2 of our top prospects or 1 of our top starters and a 3-7 type prospect that another team really wants. 

[tony&rodney]

31 minutes ago, gmwannabe said:

The Twins don't really have a choice.

This is a common perception. Then again, maybe it is a misperception. If the Twins do nothing, they are rolling into 2025 with the same guys. Many people want exactly that option. Who knows, it may work. There are options though, many options. Yes, the best options will be pricey and cause some angst (Arraez-Lopez style). Falvey gets to make the choices, it is his team to put together.

[yeahyabetcha]

If the choice is truly one or the other, the choice for 2025 should be Vazquez.

 The split that they have used the last two years has actually worked ok.  I am not convinced Jeffers should ever be a #1 catcher.  He seems more like DH option against a lefty starter and maybe catch 40% of games.

[thelanges5]

Falvey quote from a Bobby Nightingale piece -  “It’s hard for me to envision a world where one catcher is catching 80-90 percent of your games,” Falvey said. “It’s just changed so much. I feel good about the tandem that we have.”

[old nurse]

15 hours ago, bean5302 said:

This nonsense is getting old about some sort of choice between Vazquez and Jeffers. Writers are just wasting people's time and their own credibility.

When you are not a caretaker you could not have read the article. Your comment on nonsense and then credibility  on an article you really do not what was in it is pure compost of the bovine variety. 

[old nurse]

11 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Why did we sign expensive FA Vazquez in the 1st place? #1 we had & still don't have anyone in the system to be a back catcher except Jeffers. #2 Jeffers isn't a primary catcher, Jeffers is a very good hitting, average-ish defensive backup catcher with a below-average arm. But when asked to do primary catcher duties his production both offensively & especially defensively noticeably drops. You look at Jeffers's numbers throughout his career this observation is true. 

Jeffers 2 yrs. from now will be eligible for FA. My guess Falvey has planned from the start that Jeffers would be the Twins' future primary catcher. As Boras as his agent Jeffers will get top primary catcher dollar for a backup catcher. While we still need a good primary catcher. FA is too expensive, Conger still has done nothing to come up with a viable MLB-ready catcher prospect now or anytime soon. We needed to trade for a young MLB-ready catcher before but now is better than never.

So who do we keep? let's look at the facts (not hope). '22 Jeffers was asked to do primary catcher duties- he crashed & burned, his trade value bottomed out to around 3. '23 signed Vazquez to take the burden off Jeffers-  he excelled & his trade value raised to 28.5 (we should have traded him then). '24 declared primary catcher but duties were shared equally, Jeffers was used a lot as DH when he was hitting well. As the season dragged on, Jeffers #s again waned & his trade value dropped to 13.1. '25 if we trade Vazquez, Jeffers (not a primary catcher) for real will be asked to do primary catcher duties & Carmargo (not a backup catcher) will be asked to do backup duties. This scenario will produce '22-type results, is that worth shaving off $10M, minus the money that MN will have to pay down?

Vazquez's defense has only gotten better longer he gets to know the pitchers & his hitting has gotten better. Again in trade, we'd have to pay down his salary. While Jeffers is still worth something, if held onto to do primary catching duties & resemble his '22 year, we'd might have to pay something to trade him when we finally realize he's not a primary catcher worth paying for an exuberant extension.

For many this seems complicated but IMO it's very simple & I'd do it before. That is to trade Jeffers ($4.7M) while he's worth something, trade for a backup catcher (Joey Bart, PIT) & Drew Romo as the 3rd catcher to be the future catcher. I'd keep Vazquez to mentor these young catchers because I don't trust Conger to do his job. In '26, Vazquez would walk free & we'd be free from the $10M. For '25 besides Jeffers $4.7M we can also cut in other places like Paddack $7.5M.

To answer your question on why they signed him look no further than his statistics with Boston . Did it work out? No.  Easy to throw rocks in hindsight 

[specialiststeve]

I do believe that your assessment of our catcher situation is not correct! 

Having both catchers catch and stay healthy has been a very good thing. Take it you have never caught a game in your life... is VERY taxing as someone who has. Keeping them fresh and healthy is extremely important. 

As far as underperforming and expensive? I don't see that either are really accurate either. As stated by others this position is more about handling the pitching staff and being a quality leader.. the offensive side is a bonus and believe both have been good in the most important areas. 

Finding a quality replacement for either is going to cost more than the current total.. 

It's not broken... don't try to fix it!! 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, old nurse said:

When you are not a caretaker you could not have read the article. Your comment on nonsense and then credibility  on an article you really do not what was in it is pure compost of the bovine variety. 

Quote

The historic hiccup that is the Twins' singularly even distribution of catcher playing time has to end, now, for the sake of the team. Which guy should they keep?

I could read that sentence and I'm not a caretaker. I agree that the premise is a false choice.

[LambchoP]

I think our best bet is to trade Paddack for a cheap reliever. Attach a prospect to Vasquez and trade him for whatever we can get. It would open up about 17.5 million. We could sign a defensive minded catcher for a few million and have cash left over for a backup RH hitting OF or first baseman.

[Otaknam]

Vasquez is untradeable, given that ridiculous $10 million contract. He seems to be solid defensively, but has no offensive upside to justify any team paying that contract. Camargo is the only minor league option and would be suitable if either Jeffers or Vasquez gets moved. That probably will be Jeffers to save his arbitration salary, more evidence that the team is on a downward spiral because of self imposed budget constraints.