Offseason Status Update: Standing Still as Spring Approaches

It's been a while since we last checked in with a report on Twins offseason activity and we've got a whole lot of nothing to get you updated on. (Which is, in itself, the story of the winter for this team.)

These status updates are intended to serve as periodic recaps of the team's latest moves, rumors and headlines, helping keep in the loop those who don't follow Twins baseball closely during the offseason. Needless to say, there hasn't been much to cover this winter, and that rings truer than ever as we head into the home stretch of hot stove season.

In the three-plus weeks since I last checked in to comment on the roster's lack of turnover in a new year, here's a recap of everything the team has done:

• Traded minor-league pitcher Jose Vasquez to the Dodgers for minor-league catcher Diego Cartaya. 
• Signed left-handed pitcher Anthony Misiewicz to a minor-league contract.
• Signed a bunch of teenagers comprising the organization's newest international free agent class.
• Reached final agreement on contracts with all of their arbitration players.

While not especially significant, all of these moves are interesting in their own way, and there have also been some noteworthy rumors percolating in the Twins sphere. So let's get up to speed on everything you need to know with spring training now just a few short weeks away.

Twins Acquire a Former Top Catching Prospect from Dodgers in Diego Cartaya
Two years ago, ahead of the 2023 season, Cartaya was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 14 prospect in all of baseball. Since then, his stock has fallen far enough that Los Angeles designated the 23-year-old for assignment earlier this month to make room for newly signed Hyeseong Kim on their roster. Minnesota jumped to head of the waiver line by making a trade, sending rookie-ball pitcher Jose Vasquez to Los Angeles in exchange for Cartaya.

Even compared to the low-stakes swap earlier in the offseason that sent Jovani Moran to Boston for Mickey Gasper, this trade is very minor in magnitude. Vasquez has a good arm but is a true lottery ticket and wasn't really on the prospect radar for the Twins. Cartaya's inability to succeed in the high minors has greatly diminished his shine. But it is conspicuous that the Twins now have four catchers on the 40-man roster (4.5 if you want to include Gasper as semi-depth). This depth-building could be setting the stage for a trade, as we'll cover shortly.

Anthony Misiewicz Joins the Bullpen Mix
Much like Mike Ford earlier this offseason, Misiewicz is a minor-league signing that seems more consequential because of his MLB experience, and his potential ability to fit in at an area of need for the Twins. The scarcity of compelling left-handed options for the Twins bullpen is one of the most pressing questions facing the unit. Misiewicz, a 30-year-old journeyman, instantly becomes the most established pitcher in that mix.

In 115 MLB innings for five different teams, Misiewicz has posted a 4.67 ERA, but also a 3.92 FIP while averaging a strikeout per inning. He spent most of last year with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, where he struck out 29% of opponents. He might not look like the strongest candidate for a big-league role, and he'll need to earn his way onto the 40-man roster, but when the top alternatives as southpaw relievers are Kody Funderburk and Brent Headrick, the addition of Misiewicz is definitely notable.

Twins Add Wave of International Talent to System
When the international signing period opened on January 15th, the Twins announced a bunch of deals with young players hailing from places such as the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia and Haiti. Twins Daily's J.D. Cameron put together a comprehensive review of this international free agent class, highlighting some key takeaways:

• Aggressive approach and strategic flips: The Twins maximized their $7.55M bonus pool by signing 24 international prospects. Their proactive and flexible approach saw them flipping outfielder Teilon Serrano and infielder Dencer Diaz from other organizations.
• Top prospects to watch: Standouts include Santiago Castellanos, a Venezuelan pitcher with a 97 mph fastball, Santiago Leon, a skilled shortstop with a patient offensive approach, and Carlos Taveras, a promising 16-year-old outfielder with power potential and defensive versatility. (The Taveras signing has not been made official so it's unknown whether something is up there.)

Many years will pass before any of these players factor in for the Twins at the major-league level, but we can expect to see some of their names creep into top prospect lists before long.

Vázquez, Cease Mentioned in Padres Trade Rumors
Tangible rumors have been few and far between for the Twins, who've been forced to sit on the sidelines while other clubs have loaded up. As such, the recent rumblings of trade discussions between the Twins and Padres – via reporting from Dan Hayes and Dennis Shin of The Athletic – have garnered plenty of attention. 

Two specific names mentioned in the story are Christian Vázquez and Dylan Cease. The Twins are known to be shopping Vázquez and his salary, and the Padres are known to need a catcher. It's a make-sense match, outside of the belief that San Diego is in a similar position as the Twins: unable to add payroll. That's where Cease, who is set to make about $13 million in his final year before free agency, could come into play. 

Cease is a legitimate frontline starter and arguably an ace, so he would clearly require a lot more in return than Vázquez and his negative asset value. Hayes has also emphasized that while scenarios involving Cease have been discussed, such a deal is unlikely to materialize. Nevertheless, the very idea of Minnesota's front office targeting someone like Cease indicates that perhaps they still do have higher-profile aspirations in the late stages of this offseason.

Arbitration Agreements Bring Clarity to Payroll Picture
The Twins finalized contracts with all of their arbitration-eligible players, giving us a clear view of the payroll outlook this year. (Well, as clear as it can be.) The projection currently sits around $135 million, which would put them at or slightly above their limit, as we've come to understand it.

Recent quotes from general manager Jeremy Zoll suggest that the front office may not feel obligated to further cut payroll from where it currently stands. That's somewhat encouraging, but it doesn't mean they're able to add at all. At least until they can move away a salary like Vázquez or Chris Paddack or Willi Castro. 

Derek Falvey told reporters last week that he feels "like it’s the midway point to the offseason. We have a lot more work to do.” Alas, with TwinsFest now behind us and February around the corner, spring training is suddenly less than three weeks away. There isn't that much time left to shake up the status quo, but this front office under Falvey is has definitely shown a penchant for late surprises.

Want to play the role of Twins general manager? Check out our free-to-use "You're The GM" offseason tool and build your own Twins roster!