Catching Move

[stringer bell]

The Twins DFA'd Jair Camargo and claimed 29-year-old catcher Jhonny Pereda from the Athletics. It would appear to me that this is an admission that Camargo is not even viable as an alternative to be a backup catcher in the event of an injury or other absence. I've suspected that for some time now.

Short-term, it has been revealed that Jeffers will soon be leaving the team for paternity leave and it now appears that Pereda could step in (Mickey Gasper is also a possibility). Longer term, with Vázquez a free agent at season's end and possible trade chip at the deadline, another catcher will be needed next year or in August and it would seem that this guy will be that guy.

Pereda's minor league hitting has been satisfactory and according to BBRef, he seems okay as a defender. It's doubtful that he would be more than a backup, but it would seem the Twins see his acquisition as an upgrade from Camargo and Cartaya. 

[Doctor Wu]

Interesting news. I had not heard that about a possible Jeffers paternity leave. That will hurt us for sure. If Pereda is even satisfactory, that works in the short term. As you noted, they must have given up on Camargo, and not feeling very confident about Cartaya either. 

[jorgenswest]

@Seth Stohs reported that they released Cartaya and not Camargo. Camargo had Tommy John surgery.

[chpettit19]

On 7/22/2025 at 4:53 PM, stringer bell said:

The Twins DFA'd Jair Camargo and claimed 29-year-old catcher Jhonny Pereda from the Athletics. It would appear to me that this is an admission that Camargo is not even viable as an alternative to be a backup catcher in the event of an injury or other absence. I've suspected that for some time now.

Short-term, it has been revealed that Jeffers will soon be leaving the team for paternity leave and it now appears that Pereda could step in (Mickey Gasper is also a possibility). Longer term, with Vázquez a free agent at season's end and possible trade chip at the deadline, another catcher will be needed next year or in August and it would seem that this guy will be that guy.

Pereda's minor league hitting has been satisfactory and according to BBRef, he seems okay as a defender. It's doubtful that he would be more than a backup, but it would seem the Twins see his acquisition as an upgrade from Camargo and Cartaya. 

Camargo had Tommy John. He's not going to be catching again until 2027.

[Mike Sixel]

10 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Camargo had Tommy John. He's not going to be catching again until 2027.

And by then he'll be almost as old as me. He better not be on the 40 man this off season....

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

And by then he'll be almost as old as me. He better not be on the 40 man this off season....

Already off it.

[Vanimal46]

Diego Cartaya is a cautionary tale chasing top 100 prospects in the low minors. Pre-2023 he was a top 20 prospect in the game on 3 publications. Then he moved on to AA and it’s been downhill ever since. His time in our organization was comically bad. 40 strikeouts in 69 plate appearances. 

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Vanimal46 said:

Diego Cartaya is a cautionary tale chasing top 100 prospects in the low minors. Pre-2023 he was a top 20 prospect in the game on 3 publications. Then he moved on to AA and it’s been downhill ever since. His time in our organization was comically bad. 40 strikeouts in 69 plate appearances. 

Ya, I only want those guys as throw ins, or for low value veterans, generally. I mean, if the other team starts their college guys in A ball for some reason, at least there is a track record you can look at....but ya.