Should the Twins Acquire Catching Prospect Diego Cartaya?

[Cody Pirkl]

The Dodgers cut a former top prospect catcher last week. With the Twins potentially parting ways with a catcher at some point this offseason, should they take a flier?

Image courtesy of © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Dodgers signed infielder Hyeseong Kim on Friday. To make room on their 40-man roster, they designated former top catching prospect Diego Cartaya for assignment, after a few rough seasons. Still just 22 years old, Cartaya will undoubtedly get a shot with another organization. With plenty of question marks at the catcher position, should the Twins be the ones to give him a chance?

As recently as 2023, Cartaya ranked atop the Dodgers' prospects list and was in the upper portion of the global top 100 prospects. His 2024 season could be considered a bounce-back season, which speaks to how poor his 2023 season was, considering he slashed .221/.323/.363 between Double-A and Triple-A even in 2024. So why would a competing team like the Twins consider taking a flier?

Cartaya’s former status as a top prospect was well-earned. In 2022, he slashed .254/.389/.503 with 22 homers, to build on an already-impressive résumé. His slash line was 39% better than the league average in that season, made all the more impressive because he did it at catcher, where any offensive contribution is a bonus.

Cartaya simply hasn’t hit the last two seasons. Perhaps the duties of an everyday catcher became too much to maintain his offense as he rose through the minor leagues. It’s possible the book got out on him, and opposing pitchers found his weaknesses. Despite his poor performance, though, seeing the Dodgers cut bait on a 22-year-old former top prospect at a premium position was shocking. The decision was made easier for Los Angeles by being replaced at the top of the prospect rankings by fellow catcher Dalton Rushing. Even so, only for the league's most talent-laden team would Cartaya have been considered DFA fodder. Now, 29 other teams have a chance to let Cartaya reestablish himself.

The Twins have plenty of catching depth at the moment, between Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vázquez, and Jair Camargo. However, it’s probably safe to say that group isn’t strong enough to keep the team from bringing in competition. With payroll restrictions in place, a salary dump of Vázquez is also a possibility this winter.

Cartaya’s profile is not entirely dissimilar to Camargo’s, which is another question mark about acquiring him. Both are at risk of striking out too much, but carry enough pop in their bats to make them stand out offensively. It’s worth noting that despite the poor offensive performance from the two MLB catchers in 2024, Camargo got minimal opportunities—despite being on the 40 man roster. It’s possible the Twins saw Camargo as more of an emergency backup, in which case they would certainly be open to making an addition.

Cartaya also has an option remaining, making the stakes much lower. If the Twins feel Cartaya would benefit from working with the hitting coaches in their organization, they could put it to the test in St. Paul, rather than guaranteeing him an Opening Day roster spot. If Vázquez is dealt away for salary relief, perhaps the Twins would trust Camargo more as the backup catcher in MLB, while they try to help Cartaya to a rebound season in Triple-A.

Acquiring Cartaya would be such a low-risk, high-reward move that it makes too much sense for the Twins not to at least put in a waiver claim. In all likelihood, several teams ahead of them on the waiver priority will be thinking the same way, making a trade the likeliest scenario if they did acquire him. Even in that case, the cost would likely be a low-level prospect, making the possibility very real if the Twins decide to give Cartaya a shot.

Should the Twins make a low-risk, high-reward bet on a former top-prospect catcher? If so, should they go the extra mile and try to trade for him, rather than leave it up to the waiver priority? Let us know below!

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[Linus]

Wouldn’t some information about his catching ability be appropriate for an article like this?

[DJL44]

They absolutely should try to trade someone for Cartaya. They should probably aim higher and try to pick off some additional low-cost talent from the Dodgers organization.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Sign me up. Every scouting report I've read says he is a solid defensive catcher, at least at this point in his career. If they can bring him in, and even have him at either AA or AAA to start, that's a good thing to have.

[nicksaviking]

11 minutes ago, Linus said:

Wouldn’t some information about his catching ability be appropriate for an article like this?

Looking at his numbers, I can't imagine any other reason he would have been promoted to AAA other than he was decent defensively.

[chpettit19]

If you're essentially giving up nothing, sure go for it. But don't give up anybody with any real shot at being something. Would've been ideal if this happened in about 9 days when they could've just thrown a couple hundred K worth of international pool dollars at them for him. But Cartaya is a bad hitter. Like horrible. Like a 60 wRC+ at AAA which matches Vazquez's 60 at MLB. So, he's a significantly worse hitter than Vazquez who's at the bottom of the barrel of MLB hitters. 

It sure sounds like every writer thinks somebody is going to trade for him. Former top 100 prospects get lots of chances. But the odds are very much not in his favor to ever be a major leaguer. Jair Camargo had a rough go of things in AAA last year and he still managed a 76 wRC+. Cartaya was still 16 points below that and the Twins didn't give Camargo any run even with Vazquez being a 60 wRC+ in the majors. 

It sounds like he's a pretty good defender so it's probably worth calling them about a trade. But he only has 1 option left so you get 1 year to fix what seems to be a completely broken, K machine of a bat before you're DFAing him yourself. He wouldn't get anybody off my top 30 list. Probably not off my top 50 list. Maybe not off my top 100 system list. If I could get the Pohlads to slip me 50K I'd offer that. But he's being carried by his name right now. I don't like trading things for a name while the actual production on the field is screaming that the guy is toast.

[stringer bell]

I don't think the Twins have "plenty of catching depth". They have Jeffers entering his expensive years and Vázquez on the last year of an inflated contract. They've stayed healthy for two consecutive years, which I consider pretty fortunate and also feel like the law of averages is about ready to smack them. 

Camargo is suspect offensively and defensively IMHO and after that--bupkus. It appears this guy is a good defender who two years ago forgot how to hit. Maybe the shock of a DFA and new scenery will help, maybe not.

I'd be willing to part with any position player not rated in the top ten prospects, probably starting with Rosario. Several teams will want to take a chance on this guy. I expect the price will be steeper than it should be.

[Russ]

If you can't grow your own, you have to at least make an effort to acquire them

[Parfigliano]

The TC consistently refused to play Camargo in his limited time in MLB.  I wouldn't call him catching depth.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

If he can be had for a simple waiver claim, it's a no-brainer.  If we have to pay something in trade, then we need to investigate his fall off a little more seriously.  HOWEVER, if we have someone in the system that we like, I wouldn't want this lottery ticket taking playing time away from someone who we think we might believe in. 

[Cody Pirkl]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

Wouldn’t some information about his catching ability be appropriate for an article like this?

Certainly fair! I'll admit to being more focused on the bat as that's the skill that made him a top prospect. He's a solid all around catcher by all accounts. There isn't much question that he'd be able to catch in the Major Leagues, but he lacks any particular skills that would stand out if not for his offense. 

[tony&rodney]

Only saw Cartaya play once (milb.com). Bat looked broken. Defensively, Cartaya looked ok, not good or bad. I actually thought he looked similar to Jair Camargo. Again, one game means nothing but the Twins should not send anyone they believe will contribute to their team.

[Blyleven2011]

I agree we need catchers for depth in our system  ...

The fans see the need for depth at the catching position , that means the front office won't give the fans what they want and trade for him ...

He could fall in our laps as a waiver acquisition  though  ...

[sweetmusicviola16]

I don't think we would get him for the price of a simple waiver claim, we're too far down in the order. I'm also not giving up someone that we truly believe in either. A mid level prospect would make sense and if a deal can be made for that, then yes absolutely. It would be nice to be the team that unlocks Cartaya. He's not making the team out of camp btw if he was acquired.

[Whitey333]

Sure why not get him?  Just add him to the long list of similar type players we already have.

[old nurse]

As a DFA to claim him would take a roster spot.  To take him would be confidence in fixing the swing that the Dodger could not in 2 years. Low risk,high reward. Little possibility 

[TopGunn#22]

The only reason I would give up somebody classified as a slightly better than "marginal" prospect would be to gamble on the upside of adding a player at a position that the Twins seem VERY THIN...CATCHER.

Camargo by all accounts had garnered interest because of his bat.  Not his glove.  That was always the shortcoming of Jair Camargo.  He was a marginal catcher, but he had a big bat.  After struggling last year, Camargo needs to regain his "Thunder" to get back to being a relevant prospect.  But my impression of him is that he's still deficient as a catcher.

Cartaya seems to be a decent to good catcher, whose once promising bat has seen 2 consecutive seasons of a massive falloff of what his potential once was.  I can't name the specific prospect I would offer,  but if, as Doc Gast says, his value on BBTV has fallen to the mid 2's, I'd offer a prospect in the 2.0-2.5 range.  If that prospect is a run of the mill 2B or OF we're much better off taking the risk of adding a catcher like Cartaya.

First and foremost, it seems Cartaya just needs to regain his confidence.  A change of scenery to the Twins, an organization crying out for catching prospects just may be what Cartaya needs.  

 

[jorgenswest]

Who is the last man on the 40? Helman, Gasper, Keirsey, Headrick? I am not sure but that is who I would offer. The Dodgers can DFA that player and try to get them through to the minors. Otherwise I would wait to see if I get him on waivers.

His ideal place is to a team that is not a true contender. That team can probably afford to give him a year in the minors and give up the flexibility of that 40 man spot. Maybe that does describe the 2025 Twins.

As for defense Fangraphs has him at a 40 now with 55 potential so he is not ready. He allowed 55 steals in 62 attempts in AAA across 35 games.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

55 steals in 62 attempts? Here's your sign.

[Doctor Gast]

I was surprised also that nothing was said about his catching ability which should be the 1st thing we need to look at. We desperately need a promising young defensive catcher, is he MLB-ready? He's not MLB-ready but neither is Carmargo, could the Twins make him a better catcher in offense or defense if we keep him AAA? I doubt it, catchers don't miraculously get better. We have to get a very promising defensive    MLB-ready catcher & hope for the best. No matter what we do if we trade Vazquez, it'll be a train wreck waiting to happen.

LAD gave away Lux to the Reds, why do they like to fleece us?

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

Who is the last man on the 40? Helman, Gasper, Keirsey, Headrick? I am not sure but that is who I would offer. The Dodgers can DFA that player and try to get them through to the minors. Otherwise I would wait to see if I get him on waivers.

His ideal place is to a team that is not a true contender. That team can probably afford to give him a year in the minors and give up the flexibility of that 40 man spot. Maybe that does describe the 2025 Twins.

As for defense Fangraphs has him at a 40 now with 55 potential so he is not ready. He allowed 55 steals in 62 attempts in AAA across 35 games.

Twins only have 39 guys on their 40-man, FYI.

[jorgenswest]

24 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Twins only have 39 guys on their 40-man, FYI.

I was aware and should have acknowledged in post. I am assuming the Cartaya would not be the last add. At some point they are going to need to remove from this 39. They should offer the player that they view as the next to be removed. 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, jorgenswest said:

I was aware and should have acknowledged in post. I am assuming the Cartaya would not be the last add. At some point they are going to need to remove from this 39. They should offer the player that they view as the next to be removed. 

Fair enough. That's significantly more than I'd consider offering for him, but to each their own.

[DocBauer]

Not saying he's a lost cause and shouldn't be looked at. But he hasn't hit or shown much if a bat at all in 2yrs except for a little power flash. And while I don't know about his defense overall, his CS% had fallen off a cliff to 20% or less at the same time.

I wouldn't spend much to get him. But if the scouting department loves him, than a low A or rookie level prospect would be OK. 

[tony&rodney]

The Dodgers are down to 39 players with the trade of Gavin Lux. Can they put Cartaya back on the 40?

[Linus]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

The Dodgers are down to 39 players with the trade of Gavin Lux. Can they put Cartaya back on the 40?

Nope.  Once designated you are gone.

[Doctor Wu]

19 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I don't think the Twins have "plenty of catching depth".

You got that right!

[ddubbl1]

9 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

You got that right!

yes. vasquez will be traded and any other catcher might actually hit homeruns! and as Twins fans, we love you when you hit numerous home runs!!!! homeruns are #1!!!!

yes Vasquez is impressive with throw outs at 2nd. dont want him mad at me!

[miracleb]

If Cartaya is solid defensively.....he basically = Vazquez at this point.  I don't see the Twins being able to trade Vazquez, so we are stuck with him for the last year of his contract.  At 22 years old, I say........YES!

[Riverbrian]

The Dodgers thought highly enough of him to protect from the Rule 5 vultures.

The Dodgers have certainly proven over the years that they know how to pick up a phone and make deals. 

It makes me very curious to why a DFA was necessary for the once top IFA signing and 14th ranked prospect in all of baseball as recently as two years ago. He is still only 23 years old. Perhaps the other 29 teams have an issue with giving this kid a 40 man roster spot.  

With all of that said.

Maybe... just maybe... He could be a younger version of Joey Bart who was another ballyhooed prospect that went from a DFA with the Giants to taking advantage of injury opportunity in Pittsburgh... Bart rose from the dead... maybe Cartaya could do the same.

Trade cost? Dodgers won't want a 40 man guy back so younger prospect not on the 40 man... plus whoever we would have to jettison from the 40 man to make room. 

I hate playing games with 40 man roster spots. However. For a catcher. Give me those dice.