Minnesota Twins Put Christian Vazquez On Trade Block; 2 Possible Landing Spots

The Minnesota Twins are looking to shed some payroll, and according to MLB Insider Robert Murray, they've put veteran catcher Christian Vazquez on the trade block. 

Per @ByRobertMurray's sources: The Twins are looking to cut payroll and have aggressively tried to move certain players, including Christian Vázquez.

Plus more players to watch ⬇️https://t.co/pHNX1EQfay pic.twitter.com/vZti0WqcDq

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 22, 2023

Vazquez, 33, caught 94 games for the Twins last season (and played seven games at first base), playing sound defense behind the plate, but struggling at the dish, batting just .223 with a .598 OPS, with six home runs.  

He signed a three-year, $30M deal with the Twins last winter. But Ryan Jeffers has taken over behind the plate in Minny. He's seven years younger than Vazquez, and batted .276 with 14 home runs in just 96 games, with an .858 OPS. 

There are at least two teams looking for a catcher to handle a pitching staff, who should be interested in the veteran backstop: 

San Diego Padres

As a free agent last offseason, the Padres had strong interest in Vazquez before the Twins signed him. Youngster Luis Campusano had a strong finish to the season, catching regularly in late August and September, while batting .319. But with only 61 major league games behind the plate over three seasons, he'll need some veteran help.

Miami Marlins 

Catching is a trouble spot that the Fish need to fill, with only Nick Fortes listed on their roster at that position. He batted .204 last season in 104 games caught, with a .562 OPS and an OPS+ of just 52. 

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