Twins Add Catching Depth with Early Offseason Swap

[bunsen82]

So the options for the backup C for next year - were Pereda or signing someone or in this case trading for one.  Jackson seems to be in the mold of Clemens .  Great at AAA - struggled at MLB level  until last year- but had a decent stats for this year,  .7 WAR.     So I don't feel the synopsis above is quite fair.  Yes it was 100 at bats,  small sample size,  but .220/.290/.763  slash line which is much better than we got from Vazquez.   

For a player we picked up for a minor league contract who is blocked in our system -  it is actually a pretty decent move- if not a sexy one.  Its a solid flip for depth than now allows Pereda to be the 3rd option which gives us pretty decent depth for next year.   

[Nashvilletwin]

36 minutes ago, Ricky Vaughn said:

Its not the trade of Eeles, I know he will never be anything but light hitting utility player at best. Why would anyone trade for a catcher who hits a buck fifty and pay him 1.8 mil. If thats what they had in mind why not bring back Vazquez.

Didn’t we win a World Series with a catcher with the nickname Buck Eighty……?

[ashbury]

4 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Didn’t we win a World Series with a catcher with the nickname Buck Eighty……?

You're underselling Laudner by a dime.

[Dave Borton]

Quote

 Alex Jackson, a 29-year-old, power-first, defense-capable catcher who has spent most of his career on the fringe between Triple-A and the majors, will join Minnesota.

.288 SLG doesn't quite meet the definition of 'power-first.'

[mickster]

51 minutes ago, GNess said:

Jackson strikes out....often. 

who doesn't any more

 

[TopGunn#22]

We will have plenty of time to nitpick possible trades involving Ryan, Lopez, Wallner, Ober, (maybe Larnach) and yes, even Ryan Jeffers.

We gave up on a pint-sized middle IF who the Twins have a myriad of guys in their system they like better.  We added a potential backup catcher that has flashed some power in the minor leagues who by all accounts is a capable defensive catcher.  At $1.8 million, some are thinking he's an extravagance for a backup catcher.

Not compared to $10 million per season for the last 3 years !!!  (Vasquez).

I am not expecting this guy to be the 2nd coming of Earl Battey.  But Tim Laudner ?  Possibly.

We added depth to a position where the system's best prospects are 2-3 years away.  That's a WIN as far as I'm concerned.  Olivar hasn't even made it to AAA yet.  Cardenas is the better prospect and at least he's in AAA but with Tait and Jimenez at least a ways away, I'm OK with this move.

And I'd also suggest that this move in no way lessens the possibility that Jeffers could still be moved in a trade.  Especially if the Twins have a young, current or soon to be major league catcher on their trade wish-list this winter.  

[chpettit19]

Judging the trade from just a pure value perspective, it makes sense. Eeles isn't likely a major league player, even if he does get a stint or 2 eventually. He's not some major piece being moved. But if this is all you're looking for in a backup catcher, why not just claim Rortvedt and be done with it? Younger (slightly) and cheaper (slightly) and didn't have to give up any other asset. 

Is the MLB team better today than yesterday? Maybe. By an ever so slight margin. What's the point of that? That's my question. What is the goal with this deal? It's not for long-term improvement. It suggests heavily, in my opinion, that they plan to keep Jeffers and either try to deal him at the deadline or just let him walk for absolutely nothing after the season. What's the goal with that?

The Twins trying to live in both worlds feels like such a massive mistake. Trying to win now instead of diving headfirst into a rebuild has been my fear since the deadline. Pick a route and go all in on it. Continuing this "if this is the year player x and y and z and 1 and 2 and 3 and * and ^ and ! all finally figure it out, we're going to be great!" feels like such an awful plan. It's what they've been running with for years and it's why they continue to struggle. Go get as many high upside prospects with years and years of control as you can and hope a handful hit. There isn't enough talent on this team. I don't get the point of this trade.

[Chris Hove]

I personally liked Eeles. He can play middle infield. Despite his 5-foot-5 frame, he can hit the ball and has potential for more. 68 stolen bags in two years is also what the Twins want to do more of. In terms of potential, I think the twins gave up more. This team probably won't be good enough for the backup catcher to matter that much. Never hurts to have middle-infield depth, IMO. Could have signed anyone to fill the backup role and keep Eeles. I don't think the Twins really believed in him.

[IndianaTwin]

48 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

So the options for the backup C for next year - were Pereda or signing someone or in this case trading for one.  Jackson seems to be in the mold of Clemens .  Great at AAA - struggled at MLB level  until last year- but had a decent stats for this year,  .7 WAR.     So I don't feel the synopsis above is quite fair.  Yes it was 100 at bats,  small sample size,  but .220/.290/.763  slash line which is much better than we got from Vazquez.   

For a player we picked up for a minor league contract who is blocked in our system -  it is actually a pretty decent move- if not a sexy one.  Its a solid flip for depth than now allows Pereda to be the 3rd option which gives us pretty decent depth for next year.   

Don't forget Gasper.

To me, he was the floor and Pereda is still in the "prospect" category. I think it makes sense to DFA Kiersey first because of the imbalance of OFs and INFs, but I think getting Jackson makes it even easier to DFA Gasper when it comes his turn. Jackson becomes the current backup (emphasis on current, because it's still so early in the offseason) and Pereda remains as the prospect.

[ashbury]

6 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Don't forget Gasper.

To me, he was the floor and Pereda is still in the "prospect" category. I think it makes sense to DFA Kiersey first because of the imbalance of OFs and INFs, but I think getting Jackson makes it even easier to DFA Gasper when it comes his turn. Jackson becomes the current backup (emphasis on current, because it's still so early in the offseason) and Pereda remains as the prospect.

Pereda turns 30 within the first month's worth of games next season.  Prospect he ain't.  The only drama for him now is what size retirement benefits he can accrue.

[IndianaTwin]

3 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Pereda turns 30 within the first month's worth of games next season.  Prospect he ain't.

Thanks. That's older than I realized -- I was thinking of it in terms of his not having had much MLB opportunity yet. See my comment above about catchers developing later. 

 

EDIT to add: When I went to baseball-reference.com to see his number of MLB PAs (118 over two seasons), it actually lists his position as "Catcher and Pitcher." Apparently 3.1 innings will do that!

[bunsen82]

5 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Don't forget Gasper.

To me, he was the floor and Pereda is still in the "prospect" category. I think it makes sense to DFA Kiersey first because of the imbalance of OFs and INFs, but I think getting Jackson makes it even easier to DFA Gasper when it comes his turn. Jackson becomes the current backup (emphasis on current, because it's still so early in the offseason) and Pereda remains as the prospect.

Gasper and Roden.   However neither one had decent stats last year even with increased run.   

However,  both Clemens and Jackson were positive WAR players last year.  That is the difference - both player showed some flashes that they can may be turning it around as they enter late 20's to 30's.  Might be decent pieces for a couple years.    Their is no positive with Kiersey.   I don't see value in Kriedler or Outman either and would have dfa'd McCusker as well.    Throw in Gasper as he just is not an MLB player.  If you want to keep him in the system fine,  no one is picking him up.    

We still need significant changes in the bullpen.   

[HrbieFan]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Keirsey was removed already.

That is the best part of this addition 

[DJL44]

11 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

It suggests heavily, in my opinion, that they plan to keep Jeffers and either try to deal him at the deadline or just let him walk for absolutely nothing after the season. What's the goal with that?

I don't know why it suggests they'll keep Jeffers. They needed a backup catcher on the roster with or without a Jeffers trade. If they trade Jeffers, they'll need to find another catcher. I hope it means they're giving Jeffers a contract extension.

You can't punt the catcher defense entirely by using Gasper and Pereda. It will make the pitchers (like Ober) you are trying to trade later look a whole lot worse.

12 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Pereda is still in the "prospect" category.

Pereda is just a few months younger than Jackson.

[tony&rodney]

Nothing was hurt in the acquisition of Alex Jackson. Payton Eeles never recovered from knee surgery and had no future in the Twins organization. The strange part is that Jackson will cost a million more than Noah Cardenas and probably isn't as good. Additionally Jackson is out of options. The Twins passed on Rortvedt recently, a similar guy in some ways but superior with the glove and less expensive. The main concern is that somebody loves the potential pop in Alex Jackson's bat and if the Twins spend $1.8M that guy will be around all year even with a .400 OPS. If this is a noteworthy trade, 65 wins will be just a dream. Jackson joins Julien, Kreidler, and Outman to form the 2026 bench.

It's best to just go back to hoping someone, anyone within the Twins front office has an idea for adding talent that is above AAA level. It could happen, so I'll wait. 

[IndianaTwin]

5 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Gasper and Roden.   However neither one had decent stats last year even with increased run.   

However,  both Clemens and Jackson were positive WAR players last year.  That is the difference - both player showed some flashes that they can may be turning it around as they enter late 20's to 30's.  Might be decent pieces for a couple years.    Their is no positive with Kiersey.   I don't see value in Kriedler or Outman either and would have dfa'd McCusker as well.    Throw in Gasper as he just is not an MLB player.  If you want to keep him in the system fine,  no one is picking him up.    

We still need significant changes in the bullpen.   

It would actually be an interesting exercise (in a macabre sort of way) to crowdsource the projected order of DFA, or at least what our order would be.

I agreed on Kiersey first. McCusker and Kreidler are next for me, followed by Gasper. 

(Hopefully following the signing of Coulombe...) 

[Danchat]

Seeing that Jackson has no options and will be tendered, looks like he is the backup catcher. If they can get something close to what he did for Baltimore then that'll pass as a backup catcher... but wow, that strikeout rate. Yikes. They are moving Jackson for a reason.

I don't think Eeles will do any damage in the majors, so I'm not concerned with losing him.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, LambchoP said:

Don't like it. Backup catcher with a career .150 BA and a 37 percent K rate? And we're going to pay him 1.8 million?! I'd rather they let Perada take a chance. Plus we had to give up Eeles who could have been a valuable backup or utility guy. With our lack of depth at SS we probably shouldn't have gotten rid of Eeles. Not a good trade imo....

It’s not your $1.8M

[DJL44]

17 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

It's best to just go back to hoping someone, anyone within the Twins front office has an idea for adding talent that is above AAA level. It could happen, so I'll wait. 

I agree. These trades are necessary to rearrange the bench so the depth lines up better with needs, but they don't really add any wins to the 70-win roster.

[tony&rodney]

3 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I agree. These trades are necessary to rearrange the bench so the depth lines up better with needs, but they don't really add any wins to the 70-win roster.

I'm looking for catchers that might be available who will be as good as Christian Vazquez. Nice that the Twins won't pay for CV any longer but Alex Jackson cannot catch or hit as well as Vazquez. 

So I identify the usual cliche guys with Harry Ford being a real choice. Ford could be acquired but he would cost a Royce Lewis or Emmanuel Rodriguez or Matt Wallner or Zebby Matthews or maybe Bailey Ober. One of these guys maybe. Problem is the Twins are looking to keep anyone who breathes and love Gasper.

The over/under for the current roster is either 63 or 65 wins I think. Somebody should know. We already saw this roster play post All Star Game at a 33% winning clip. Something has to give. This trade feels exactly like the move for Mickey Gasper. 

[SteveLV]

30 year old catcher who is only adequate behind the plate and completely inadequate at the plate.

Perfect!  World Series here we come! /s

Seriously, what is the point of these kind of moves?  Whatever you think of Eeles, this guy is going nowhere as a player.  Aren't we going to try and go young and see who can play and who can't?  We already know the answer on this guy.....

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

You're underselling Laudner by a dime.

Haha.  That’s right!  My bad!  Sorry Tim 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Solid but unspectacular trade. 

Shipped out a player we weren't going to use for a position of need. Does nothing for excitement. Won't know if the trade was good until the games are played. 

A falvey special, really. A player that hasn't performed well in limited opportunities, hoping he breaks out in a Twins uniform. 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I don't know why it suggests they'll keep Jeffers. They needed a backup catcher on the roster with or without a Jeffers trade. If they trade Jeffers, they'll need to find another catcher. I hope it means they're giving Jeffers a contract extension.

You can't punt the catcher defense entirely by using Gasper and Pereda. It will make the pitchers (like Ober) you are trying to trade later look a whole lot worse.

Pereda is just a few months younger than Jackson.

Backup catcher or tandem catcher? I agree with labeling Jackson a "backup catcher." But the Twins don't do "backup catcher" if they think the catchers are at all comparable. They do "tandem catchers." Jackson has never caught even 60 games in the bigs in a single season. That's a backup catcher role.

If they view him as his entire big league career suggests they should, they see him as a backup. And if that's the case, I don't expect Jeffers is going anywhere before the season. Unless anyone here thinks they're bringing in somebody of Jeffers' quality to replace him. I find that hard to believe. And if they do as many want and bring in a young catcher, I find it even harder to believe they'd use Jackson as a true backup and put Ford, or whoever, as a true "starting catcher." 

That's why I think it suggests they aren't looking to trade Jeffers. They brought in a guy who has no business being a tandem catcher on opening day. And I'd think you only do that if you're planning on having Ryan Jeffers here to be the main catcher.

[mikelink45]

2 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

What exactly did you expect to receive in a trade for a 26 year old, 5'5" former independent league baseball player? The odds are very much stacked against Eeles making it to MLB. 

I suspect it is not the trade that underwhelms.  For me the underwhelming aspect is if this is what we settle for as backup catcher.  I can only hope he is better than Gaspar, but the bar is damn low. 

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, Ricky Vaughn said:

Its not the trade of Eeles, I know he will never be anything but light hitting utility player at best. Why would anyone trade for a catcher who hits a buck fifty and pay him 1.8 mil. If thats what they had in mind why not bring back Vazquez.

Because he had a wRC+ of 111 last year vs Vazquez 55.  It's quite possible he doesn't replicate that 111 wRC+ next year but I like his odds better than Vasquez.  If he does, they have 2 more years of control that will work nicely while they transition Tait into the primary catcher role.  If he doesn't, they lost a prospect of very marginal value.  Sounds like a good risk/return equation to me.

[CRF]

I guess I'd rather have this Jackson guy, than Gasper.

[JBK]

2 hours ago, LyleCole said:

We got him.  With them DFA Keirsey they need another sub .200 hitter to take his place on the 40 man roster.  

The Twins looked at that .137 batting average in 2021 (151 PAs), that .157 average in 2021 (123 PAs), the .122 average in 2024 (155 pas) and said,  WE NEED THIS AND WE NEED IT BAD.

I will concede that he actually hit pretty well in 100 plate appearances last season with Baltimore from an OPS standpoint.   But when a .220 average and .290 OBP are major statistical aberrations for your career it probably indicates a return to the mean is inevitable.  

Still, I agree that for a team conserving payroll and $1.8 million is a huge amount of money for the owners that are pushing to a low budget rebuild, why not just add Ricardo Olivar to the 40 and pencil him in as the backup C and give him some other chances of playing LF to see if he has MLB value?   Olivar is younger, more versatile, and his minor league career has been more successful.  If Olivar can't do the job try someone else like Nate Baez, Noah Cardenas, or even Patrick Winkel.   

What is the fascination with journeymen that this team's management seems to love?

For this FO, it's all about the $$$$

[sweetmusicviola16]

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Jackson won't cut it as a Jeffers's backup catcher. As a 3rd catcher or backup to a primary catcher, where he's used sparingly, he'll be fine, but not used extensively. He's not that great offensively until he was used sparingly in the 1st half & did well in July when he was used more regularly, but as time ground by, he tailed off quickly. He won't be able to regularly cover for Jeffers as the season drags by. Jeffers & Jackson may come out like gangbusters, but they'll be very disappointing before the All-Star break. 

But I'm happy for Eeles, he wasn't getting the chance with MN in the MLB as he should. Hopefully, he'll get that chance with a contender.

I'm happy for Eeles too. I wish him well. The trade of Jackson for Eeles looks like a fair enough trade when you look at it as a 1 for 1 swap. Not sure why they'd pay Jackson 1.8 mil though when Rortvedt for example could be had for minimum. Whatever, I'm sure they'll make a cut somewhere to make it up. But when you look at the trade deeper, as in Jackson for Vazquez, Jackson replacing Vazquez. The team that finished 2025 just got worse. I know Vazquez gets zero love on this site but he made the Twins a better team than Jackson at this point. 

[DJL44]

11 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Backup catcher or tandem catcher? I agree with labeling Jackson a "backup catcher." But the Twins don't do "backup catcher" if they think the catchers are at all comparable. They do "tandem catchers." Jackson has never caught even 60 games in the bigs in a single season. That's a backup catcher role.

If they view him as his entire big league career suggests they should, they see him as a backup. And if that's the case, I don't expect Jeffers is going anywhere before the season. Unless anywhere here thinks they're bringing in somebody of Jeffers' quality to replace him. I find that hard to believe. And if they do as many want and bring in a young catcher, I find it even harder to believe they'd use Jackson as a true backup and put Ford, or whoever, as a true "starting catcher." 

That's why I think it suggests they aren't looking to trade Jeffers. They brought in a guy who has no business being a tandem catcher on opening day. And I'd think you only do that if you're planning on having Ryan Jeffers here to be the main catcher.

If they trade Jeffers, they'll be trading Ryan and Lopez and possibly Buxton. Then they just need a couple guys who can play defense. Jackson can catch and throw so he fills that need.