The Twins Should Target James McCann as a New Half-Solution at Catcher

[TopGunn#22]

On 12/28/2024 at 7:43 PM, sweetmusicviola16 said:

After Burnes signed with Arizona I'm seeing Pablo headed to Baltimore. They went the rental route but I think they may want more security this time around. Basallo and McDermott coming the Twins way? Just a hunch here.

 

16 hours ago, High heat said:

What do you think it would take to get Henry Davis from the Pirates?  
 

Maybe a solid pitching prospect? Maybe an outfield prospect?

 

[TopGunn#22]

I was just thinking about the Pirates as well High heat.  They have Davis, a resurgent Joey Bart and a seemingly healthy Endy Rodriguez.  Davis (OF) and Rodriguez (1B) can play other places but both Davis and Rodriguez are considered CATCHERS.  They play other places because their bats compel managers to get them in the lineup more often.

I wonder what it would take in a trade with the Pirates to acquire a Rodriguez or a Davis?  I know the Pirates could have interest in guys like Miranda or Julien, and certainly someone like Wallner or Larnach if they move Reynolds to 1B.

The suggestion of Elias Diaz is also interesting.  

[KirbyDome89]

On 12/31/2024 at 9:55 AM, tony&rodney said:

The Houston Astros and Martin Maldonado might disagree with you. 

I'm not real familiar with McCann's catching skills so I'll leave that to someone else to determine.

A pitcher needs to have confidence in their catcher or stuff goes south in a hurry. Every manager looks for a catcher who can hit and catch, winning teams focus on catchers who catch. The bat is a bonus.

Winning teams focus on having good players. The fact that the Astros could afford to endure such a pathetic hitter is a testament to how much star power the rest of the everyday lineup had, not some feather in Moldonado's cap. When the Twins have 4-5 regulars garnering MVP consideration and multiple SPs in CYA contention they can start ignoring the fact Vazquez has been a black hole even relative to his peers.  

[tony&rodney]

26 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

Winning teams focus on having good players. The fact that the Astros could afford to endure such a pathetic hitter is a testament to how much star power the rest of the everyday lineup had, not some feather in Moldonado's cap. When the Twins have 4-5 regulars garnering MVP consideration and multiple SPs in CYA contention they can start ignoring the fact Vazquez has been a black hole even relative to his peers.  

Well, I'm not exactly issuing support for Vazquez. Cleveland, among other teams, has a preference for catchers who  catch. How well they hit is secondary. The Guardians have Ramirez but not a pile of guys getting MVP votes or pitchers  getting CYA tallies. 

Per the post, if the Twins could trade Vazquez for McCann the idea might swim. Who will take Vazquez and his contract? No one might be the answer. As it is the Twins have a tandem that has worked for the past two years. Vazquez's contract expires after this year and then the Twins will have a new catcher. When one considers the Twins at 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, RF, and DH the catching situation almost looks stable. 

Eventually the Twins will need to make a move for a catcher. I have proposed several ideas which may have been lame or otherwise not feasible but they were reasonable for both teams to an extent. Until Falvey sees fit, the Twins will need to prosper with Vazquez's bat in the lineup half the time. It's the reality that Falvey chose.

[Riverbrian]

In regards to our catching situation. I'd rather the Twins just slept in the bed they made.

I'd rather they don't pay the over inflated trade prices necessary or the over inflated free agent prices to acquire someone who will play 120 games at most because of the maintenance that catchers require. 

Please consider these points. 

1. Jair Camargo was given a 40 man spot last year.

2. There are two reasons that you give someone a 40 man spot. 

2a. To call them up to the majors.

2b. To protect them from another team claiming them.

3. If you don't feel that another team would claim them. You wouldn't need to give a player a 40 man spot. For example Ricardo Olivar needed to be protected or exposed and was not protected. The Twins either didn't think Olivar interested other clubs or didn't care if other clubs were interested. 

4. Camargo was protected. The Twins must have felt that other teams would be interested in him. 

5. Since he was protected. It suggests that THEY DIDN'T WANT CAMARGO TO BE CLAIMED, 

6. Christian Vazquez produced a .575 OPS in 2024.  Camargo got 7 AB's because the Twins couldn't afford to give up that incredible Vazquez production. 

7. Despite giving Vazquez 7 AB's over 20 games on the 26 man roster. Camargo is STILL ON THE 40 MAN roster. 

In other words. The Twins simultaneously feel that Camargo isn't good enough to replace a .575 OPS but good enough that another team would put him to work. He's good enough for others but not good enough for us. 

What they did with Vazquez and Camargo last year was a huge deal. Vazquez will not be here next year. Will Camargo be here next year? I don't know but he is still on the 40 man roster for some reason. 

The front office can stop buying or trading for new blankets and pillows and just lie in this bed they made. 

 

 

[stringer bell]

Perhaps off-topic, but concerning catching, Diego Cartaya was DFA'd by the Dodgers today. He was their minor league player of the year a couple of years ago, but has struggled hitting in the high minors. Cartaya has a good defensive rep and strong arm and also importantly has an option year remaining. If I am correct about how the Twins feel about Camargo, I think they should be all over this and claim Cartaya. 

[Riverbrian]

17 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Perhaps off-topic, but concerning catching, Diego Cartaya was DFA'd by the Dodgers today. He was their minor league player of the year a couple of years ago, but has struggled hitting in the high minors. Cartaya has a good defensive rep and strong arm and also importantly has an option year remaining. If I am correct about how the Twins feel about Camargo, I think they should be all over this and claim Cartaya. 

Will probably need to swing a trade. He probably won't reach waivers. If he reaches waivers... he probably won't reach the Twins. 

Dodgers will want young prospects not on the 40 man.

The Twins are hopefully on the phone.