Twins Land Former Top Prospect Diego Cartaya in Trade With Dodgers

[Brandon Glick]

It's been a quiet offseason on the Twins' front, though they may finally be awaking from their slumber after acquiring a former Top-25 prospect from the Dodgers.

Image courtesy of © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

In the midst of a potential ownership change that may be coming as soon as Opening Day and an apparent mandate from the incumbent ownership group to keep payroll at 2024 levels (if not lower), it isn't surprising that the Twins have been relatively inactive this offseason. It's sort of been a theme in the Al Central, though that doesn't excuse Minnesota's sloth-like performance in a key offseason after they collapsed down the stretch in 2024.

Now, they've finally made a notable move, even if it isn't going to fundamentally change the course of the team or the 2025 season. Per the team, the Twins have acquired Diego Cartaya in exchange for minor-league pitcher Jose Vasquez.

 

Cartaya, 23, split the 2024 season between Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa in the Dodgers' farm system, combining to slash .221/.323/.363 with 11 home runs in 95 games. The Venezuelan native signed for a $2.5 million bonus as a 17-year-old in 2018 and was Los Angeles' top prospect over the past few seasons before falling down lists in 2024.

Cartaya was at his best in 2021-22, posting an OPS over .900 across both Single-A and High-A. He hit 41 home runs between the 2022-23 seasons and is renowned for his advanced plate approach and above-average power (especially for a catcher). His defense has never been his calling card, though he has improved with his pitch-calling and framing in recent seasons, and his arm has always been regarded as above-average. MLB.com now ranks Cartaya as the Twins' 23rd-best prospect.

Vasquez, 20, has played two minor league seasons for the Dominican Summer League Twins, going 5-2 with an 8.05 ERA in 57.0 innings, producing a 71-47 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 22 games (9 starts). He has not appeared on any top prospect lists and appears to be a pure-upside play by the Dodgers, who were going to lose Cartaya for nothing after DFA'ing him to make room for free agent signing Hye-Seong Kim.

Notably, the Twins' 40-man roster is full and features four catchers (Cartaya, Ryan Jeffers, Jair Camargo, and Christian Vázquez). The team cannot bank on their latest addition to be their catcher of the future after a down season in 2024, though he does make Vazquez or Jeffers even more expendable than they already were. Unless the team plans to carry three catchers on their major league roster in 2025, a follow-up move shouldn't be far behind.

If you want to understand why the Dodgers unceremoniously dumped Cartaya, it's not due to a waning belief in his talents (though a persistent back injury has limited his effectiveness in recent seasons). Los Angeles already has Will Smith locked down on a long-term contract as their starting backstop, while Dalton Rushing's recent emergence (now the Dodgers' top prospect) rendered Cartaya superfluous. When the team signed Kim, they had yet to offload Gavin Lux onto the Reds, making the Venezuelan catcher an unfortunate-but-necessary casualty for their 2025 operation.

Looking into Cartaya's profile, there are some obvious places the Twins can focus their efforts on helping to restore him to his former status. You might be surprised to learn that Cartaya has always been more effective against opposing righties, crushing them to the tune of a .943 OPS in 2022 (compared to .722 mark against southpaws). Even in 2023, when his overall offensive numbers were down, he simply performed better against same-sided pitchers, with a .671 OPS against righties and .604 OPS against lefties. In 2024, however, that trend finally reversed, as his OPS was 79 points better against left-handers compared to right-handers.

Some of that can be traced back to the fact that pitching simply improves at the highest level of the minors, as well as Cartaya's back problems. However, it's Cartaya's weakest link that appears to be holding him back the most. In 2024, Cartaya posted a 28.3% strikeout rate (21.7% vs. lefties, 30.2% vs. righties); in 2023, his strikeout rate was 29.0% (29.8% vs. lefties, 28.8% vs righties) and in 2022, his strikeout rate was 26.7% (27.7% vs. lefties, 26.5% vs. righties). Those overall strikeout numbers are pretty consistent, but his splits have been tilting in favor of his work against southpaws for years. Unless he can refine his plate approach versus same-sided pitchers, he'll continue to struggle, especially against the strikeout artists in the big leagues. Even anecdotally, Cartaya's bat-to-ball skills have been in question as he's risen through the minor league ranks, with MLB.com dropping his "hit" tool from a rating of 50 (average) prior to 2022 to a rating of 40 (below-average) in 2024.

If the Twins can help Cartaya improve his contact numbers without sacrificing the quality of contact that makes him such an intriguing power threat, they may be cooking with gas. Fans should keep their expectations in check for now, but it's rare that a player of this pedigree becomes available at such a cheap price. It may not be the move that changes the balance of power in the AL Central, but, at the very least, it's a smart one.

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[GNess]

Interesting move which might have a solid return if this prospect regains his mojo.

[Twins GFP]

Sorry, but any other year and this move is barely a blip on the radar.  The Twins needed another system catcher and they got one for nothing.  At least this move gives us something to talk about.

[SF Twins Fan]

I'm assuming Cartaya still has options, correct?  If so, he could easily start at AAA and it wouldn't mean either Jeffers or Vazquez are going to be traded.

[bean5302]

The move is pretty significant. While I don't view Jair Camargo as a legitimate prospect anymore, Cartaya could be a defense first backup at the MLB level. Steamer projections:

Camargo - .203/.259/.347 OPS .605 wRC+ 70
Cartaya - .198/.273/.345 OPS .618 wRC+ 75
Vazquez - .238/.284/.352 OPS .636 wRC+ 80
Gasper - .247/.343/.372 OPS .714 wRC+ 109

I think that's enough depth now to part ways with Vazquez. At least one of the catching prospects should be replacement level or better, and that's all the Twins can really "expect" from Vazquez.

[bean5302]

1 minute ago, SF Twins Fan said:

I'm assuming Cartaya still has options, correct?  If so, he could easily start at AAA and it wouldn't mean either Jeffers or Vazquez are going to be traded.

He has 1 option.

[HerbieFan]

Geez, credit to Cody Pirkl for basically calling this one!

[Riverbrian]

[sweetmusicviola16]

I wouldn't call this a notable move. It's a trade for a guy that was DFA'd. But I do like the trade. LAD gets a project they can work with and so do we. Maybe we can resurrect him.

[DJL44]

2 minutes ago, SF Twins Fan said:

I'm assuming Cartaya still has options, correct?  If so, he could easily start at AAA and it wouldn't mean either Jeffers or Vazquez are going to be traded.

He has one option left. He was added young enough that he might get a 4th option season.

Quote

Players typically have three option years, but those who have accrued less than five full seasons (including both the Major and Minors) are eligible for a fourth if their three options have been exhausted already.

 

[Russ]

Good start, need many more.  Cartaya could reach the show later this year, but probably 2026.  Hopefully Vasquez doesn't become the next Luis Gil.

[Riverbrian]

1 minute ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I wouldn't call this a notable move. It's a trade for a guy that was DFA'd. But I do like the trade. LAD gets a project they can work with and so do we. Maybe we can resurrect him.

True... He was DFA'd. 

However, the Dodger system over flows much better stuff than other systems.

If you got to eat out of the garbage can. Don't go to my house... Go to Paris Hiltons place.    

[High heat]

Very nice catching depth add with high upside.  
 

You would assume Vasquez or Jeffers will be on the move shortly.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, High heat said:

Very nice catching depth add with high upside.  
 

You would assume Vasquez or Jeffers will be on the move shortly.

None of Gasper, Camargo, Cartaya, or any other catcher currently in the Twins organization are capable of replacing either of Vazquez or Jeffers at this time. The Twins need to acquire a catcher who can before any consideration of moving the current catchers.

Cartaya is a solid gain for AA or AAA, wherever he is placed, and the hope is that in a year there is enough improvement to give Cartaya a shot next year (2026). He will be out of options after 2025. 

[DJL44]

15 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

If you got to eat out of the garbage can. Don't go to my house... Go to Paris Hiltons place.    

I think her place burned to the ground.

[High heat]

6 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

None of Gasper, Camargo, Cartaya, or any other catcher currently in the Twins organization are capable of replacing either of Vazquez or Jeffers at this time. The Twins need to acquire a catcher who can before any consideration of moving the current catchers.

Cartaya is a solid gain for AA or AAA, wherever he is placed, and the hope is that in a year there is enough improvement to give Cartaya a shot next year (2026). He will be out of options after 2025. 

Camargo has been the catcher at AAA for 2 seasons now Cartaya spent half of last season at AAA.  Those guys are both capable big league catchers.  Might they be a drop off defensively from Vasquez or not as productive a bat as Jeffers but both are big league capable catchers.

[MMMordabito]

"he does make Vazquez or Jeffers even more expendable than they already were"

[Seth Stohs]

That is a risk I would take every day of the year. A Former Top prospect from a top development organization coming off a tough year at Triple-A at age 23 for a DSL pitcher. 

[NYCTK]

28 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

The move is pretty significant. While I don't view Jair Camargo as a legitimate prospect anymore, Cartaya could be a defense first backup at the MLB level. Steamer projections:

Camargo - .203/.259/.347 OPS .605 wRC+ 70
Cartaya - .198/.273/.345 OPS .618 wRC+ 75
Vazquez - .238/.284/.352 OPS .636 wRC+ 80
Gasper - .247/.343/.372 OPS .714 wRC+ 109

I think that's enough depth now to part ways with Vazquez. At least one of the catching prospects should be replacement level or better, and that's all the Twins can really "expect" from Vazquez.

I think everyone should ignore Gasper as C as you did Farmer as C. 

[chpettit19]

I like this move. Needed to add some catching depth. You never say never on a prospect, but they gave up a very low probability prospect even relative to the low probability of all prospects. 

Cartaya has been brutal with the bat the last 2 years. Vazquez-like, but relative to minor leaguers instead. The arm had always been good and the reports on the defense are promising so it's a nice profile on that side of the ball at this point. The option year gives them a year to figure things out in St Paul between him and Camargo.

I don't see this as a sign of an imminent follow-up move. Not that there won't be another catcher move, but they didn't trust Camargo last year and Cartaya has no business in an MLB batters box. They'd still need to bring in an MLB catcher if they move either of Jeffers or Vazquez. 

[Riverbrian]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I think her place burned to the ground.

One of her places did according to the news. 

Which means the food left over in that Garbage will be heated when you pull it out. 

[Riverbrian]

8 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I like this move. Needed to add some catching depth. You never say never on a prospect, but they gave up a very low probability prospect even relative to the low probability of all prospects. 

Cartaya has been brutal with the bat the last 2 years. Vazquez-like, but relative to minor leaguers instead. The arm had always been good and the reports on the defense are promising so it's a nice profile on that side of the ball at this point. The option year gives them a year to figure things out in St Paul between him and Camargo.

I don't see this as a sign of an imminent follow-up move. Not that there won't be another catcher move, but they didn't trust Camargo last year and Cartaya has no business in an MLB batters box. They'd still need to bring in an MLB catcher if they move either of Jeffers or Vazquez. 

Agreed

However, if Cartaya is alright defensively.

Vazquez is a pretty darn low offensive bar. If Cartaya can't hit... Oh Well... The other guy can't either. 

Like Bob Dylan says... "Go to him, He calls you, You can't refuse. When you ain't got nothing... you got nothing to lose".  

Now that song will be stuck in your head. 

[Linus]

I would rather have the lottery ticket catcher than the lottery ticket pitcher given the Twins current circumstances.

[In My La Z boy]

34 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

True... He was DFA'd. 

However, the Dodger system over flows much better stuff than other systems.

If you got to eat out of the garbage can. Don't go to my house... Go to Paris Hiltons place.    

Paris Hiltons place burned to the ground last night, but good point 👍

[Riverbrian]

28 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

None of Gasper, Camargo, Cartaya, or any other catcher currently in the Twins organization are capable of replacing either of Vazquez or Jeffers at this time. The Twins need to acquire a catcher who can before any consideration of moving the current catchers.

Cartaya is a solid gain for AA or AAA, wherever he is placed, and the hope is that in a year there is enough improvement to give Cartaya a shot next year (2026). He will be out of options after 2025. 

Agreed... No need to rush him. Let him AAA for a bit and let him compete with Camargo for next man up. 

 

[TwinsDr2021]

I have faith they can turn this kid into a hitter again, based on what they have done with others.

 

[chpettit19]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Agreed

However, if Cartaya is alright defensively.

Vazquez is a pretty darn low offensive bar. If Cartaya can't hit... Oh Well... The other guy can't either. 

Like Bob Dylan says... "Go to him, He calls you, You can't refuse. When you ain't got nothing... you got nothing to lose".  

Now that song will be stuck in your head. 

I mean Vazquez can't hit MLB pitching, but Cartaya couldn't hit AAA pitching. Matching wRC+ at the different levels actually. .575 OPS is bad. Now imagine a .375 OPS. Actually, don't. That's mean to wish that thought on someone. I apologize.

[cmoss84]

48 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

True... He was DFA'd. 

However, the Dodger system over flows much better stuff than other systems.

If you got to eat out of the garbage can. Don't go to my house... Go to Paris Hiltons place.    

I don't know if I want to know what is in her garbage cans! 

[Riverbrian]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

I mean Vazquez can't hit MLB pitching, but Cartaya couldn't hit AAA pitching. Matching wRC+ at the different levels actually. .575 OPS is bad. Now imagine a .375 OPS. Actually, don't. That's mean to wish that thought on someone. I apologize.

Ouch that hurt. My brain is feeling that. Kinda like eating ice cream too fast. 

OK... but... since I've imagined that .375 OPS. I was reading the wrapper on the ice cream packaging.  

It says that .375 won't solve our problems but it also won't cost 10 million that we don't have. 

Having an option remaining means he can be sent down if he .375's it. And if he uses up that option and he is still .375 OPS'ing it next year. You don't care if he passes through waivers in 2026.  

It's a dice roll... I'd start him in the minors and let him compete with Camargo for next man up. But... I would have my finger on the eject button ready on Vazquez in June if he's going to keep the under .600 crap. 

Vazquez for the past two years has been bypassing the taste buds to drop the entire tub of Bridgeman's directly onto my brain. 

 

 

[Doctor Gast]

31 minutes ago, High heat said:

Camargo has been the catcher at AAA for 2 seasons now Cartaya spent half of last season at AAA.  Those guys are both capable big league catchers.  Might they be a drop off defensively from Vasquez or not as productive a bat as Jeffers but both are big league capable catchers.

I don't care how long they have been at AAA. Gasper has been in AAA for how long? As of yet we still haven't got our 3rd catcher. Cartaya has a lot more upside than what we got but he's still not MLB-ready. We'll see how he responds to AAA here. Maybe later on this season, we sure can't count on him to take over for Vazquez or Jeffers.