Solve the Jays catching dilemma: Who gets traded (eventually)?

[JTT]

Well, according to mlbpipeline three of the top nine prospects are catchers. How man pitchers you ask? One

[Asianiac_24]

I think the ideal situation is that Moreno can play another position when Kirk starts at C. That's takes them from play 3/4 of the time to maybe 4/5th, which is decent for a catcher.

But I agree, if you're getting a stud back, then no one is off limits. But the price is definitely high for Moreno or Kirk.

If Moreno can play another position he would be completely off limits. Elite defensive catcher who can also play another position and is potentially a .300 hitter (albeit with no power) TODAY?

[Randle McMurphy]

I think the ideal situation is that Moreno can play another position when Kirk starts at C. That's takes them from play 3/4 of the time to maybe 4/5th, which is decent for a catcher.

But I agree, if you're getting a stud back, then no one is off limits. But the price is definitely high for Moreno or Kirk.

If Moreno can play another position he would be completely off limits. Elite defensive catcher who can also play another position and is potentially a .300 hitter (albeit with no power) TODAY?

He converted from shortstop to catcher. I imagine he could handle several other positions if he put the time in at them.

[Schad]

He converted from shortstop to catcher. I imagine he could handle several other positions if he put the time in at them.

C/LF would almost definitely work, because he's quite quick and has more than enough arm for the outfield. Still, though, the ideal is that Moreno catches five days a week (which is all most catchers do), and Kirk the other two, while Kirk DHes most of the time.

[DelAbbot]

He converted from shortstop to catcher. I imagine he could handle several other positions if he put the time in at them.

C/LF would almost definitely work, because he's quite quick and has more than enough arm for the outfield. Still, though, the ideal is that Moreno catches five days a week (which is all most catchers do), and Kirk the other two, while Kirk DHes most of the time.

I agree with the tandem of Kirk/Moreno as you suggested. But a concern is do we carry a 3rd catcher (emergency) on the active roster? If C Moreno and DH Kirk both start, and when Moreno gets pinch hit for, you switch Kirk to C and lose the DH?

[Asianiac_24]

He converted from shortstop to catcher. I imagine he could handle several other positions if he put the time in at them.

C/LF would almost definitely work, because he's quite quick and has more than enough arm for the outfield. Still, though, the ideal is that Moreno catches five days a week (which is all most catchers do), and Kirk the other two, while Kirk DHes most of the time.

I agree with the tandem of Kirk/Moreno as you suggested. But a concern is do we carry a 3rd catcher (emergency) on the active roster? If C Moreno and DH Kirk both start, and when Moreno gets pinch hit for, you switch Kirk to C and lose the DH?

I don't think we would want to pinch hit Moreno, and don't we still have Zach Collins we can call up?

[Schad]

I agree with the tandem of Kirk/Moreno as you suggested. But a concern is do we carry a 3rd catcher (emergency) on the active roster? If C Moreno and DH Kirk both start, and when Moreno gets pinch hit for, you switch Kirk to C and lose the DH?

Moreno profiles as a good enough hitter that you shouldn't be pinch-hitting for him, assuming he reaches his potential.

[Parataxis]

I agree with the tandem of Kirk/Moreno as you suggested. But a concern is do we carry a 3rd catcher (emergency) on the active roster? If C Moreno and DH Kirk both start, and when Moreno gets pinch hit for, you switch Kirk to C and lose the DH?

Moreno profiles as a good enough hitter that you shouldn't be pinch-hitting for him, assuming he reaches his potential.

Yup. And moreso, even if we DID pinch hit for him (I dunno, maybe we desperately needed a power bat at that exact moment, or we'd rehired Charlie as our manager or something) it would almost certainly be in a 9th inning situation, so that batting slot is unlikely to come back up again unless things have gotten really weird.

[DelAbbot]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/alejandro-kirk-and-alek-manoah-boldly-go-towards-the-shadow-zone/

Kirk has above average framing skills and one of the best hitter at C. You don't trade that just because it "could" fetch a higher level player than Danny Jansen.

Every trade has risk of failure: why would we trade away a sure-thing 4 fWAR C earning league min when we are in a contending window. It would make zero sense.

Trade away Danny Jansen to clear space for Moreno, since Jansen only has 2 years of control left and would command a bigger salary.

[WaltFrazier]

How's the trade Jansen sentiment looking now?

[DelAbbot]

How's the trade Jansen sentiment looking now?

I still call him John Buck and say we trade him to open up AB for Kirk and Moreno

[spykelee]

Jano is the obvious candidate on the surface but he's also the veteran guy that knows the staff the best and in theory, is the most adept and conditioned for 162. That said, he missed time this year, as most catcher's do. I do question how much we'd actually get out of Moreno and Kirk behind the plate. Salary and years of control and age wise it def makes sense to trade Jano, but for stability, and getting a higher return, addressing other needs, it might make the most sense to trade Moreno/Kirk. It's a tough call, largely dependent on what the return could be for all 3. Gun to my head, it's gotta be Jano.

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[dagger]

It’s a tough one and certainly the asset value acquired in return would influence my view, but I don’t think you can bring back all three without stranding some of Moreno’s value. They are all RHBs, so there is no platoon value there, and the Jays clearly need help in other areas more than they need three good catchers on the 26-man roster.

[C Court]

One needs to be traded this off-season. I just have no confidence that Atkins will acquire anything of value in return.

[dagger]

One needs to be traded this off-season. I just have no confidence that Atkins will acquire anything of value in return.

It may be heresy to say it, but even a high leverage reliever with some control and a Rookie ball or single A prospect might be nice. If you get 90 cents on the dollar for Jansen in this environment, you have still improved the roster balance.

[Raider917]

I hope to see a blockbuster this offseason. theres too many right handed batters and no pitching depth. either fix this or have a firesale.

[Raps in 4]

At this point, I think we might need to trade 2/3. Our pitching situation is dire (and will be even more dire if/when Stripling leaves). We desperately need quality starters and relievers, and our catchers offer the best path to acquiring both.

[LBJKB24MJ23]

if you want to get a top notch pitcher, probably Moreno.

[duppyy]

I want relievers that throw 99-100 mph that all other teams seem to have lol

[DelAbbot]

if you want to get a top notch pitcher, probably Moreno.

Did you consider Jose Berrios top notch pitcher before this season? Moreno is a sure thing with his defense and contact hitting abilities alone - not trading that for a much more volatile commodity i.e. pitcher.