Minnesota once had a backup catcher named Matthew Lecroy, whose last name is just one different letter from the player who could soon become the Twins’ regular backup. Now that injury has sidelined Jason Castro for the rest of this season, Minnesota’s second-place finisher must replace him with an experienced receiver.
An obvious choice would be the Marlins’ TJ Realmuto, who made him available over the winter as part of their rebuild. Apparently, Miami’s asking price is too high, due to the friendly contract status of the Realmuto team.
Former Twins receiver Kurt Suzuki will probably ask for a consult, but his current team, Atlanta, is in first place and he’s not likely to want to change things when dealing with his veteran backup. Few other clubs have the luxury of extra receivers, except possibly the Indians.
Cleveland has a couple of talented catchers on the major league team, while one of their top prospects is also a catcher. Twenty-two-year-old Francisco Mejia already had some major league experience, but because of the two guys in front of him, the Indians have Mejia trying other positions this year.
While a trade to the Twins would allow Mejia to remain in his natural position, a deal is unlikely to be reached. First of all, the Minnesota Wild prefers a veteran receiver with experience in a pennant race. Also, the Twins don’t need a long-term replacement, just a receiver to fill in for Castro for the rest of this season. It’s also doubtful the Indians would make a deal that would strengthen a Minnesota team that is just a game behind them in the standings.
A name that emerged certainly meets the criteria for experience and a short-term stay, and he remains unsigned after filing for free agency last November. Although Carlos Ruiz led the Philadelphia Phillies to two pennants as well as a World Series Championship, at nine and thirty he would be considered too old for the exacting demands of an everyday catcher.
That brings us back to the former Twins catcher with the French name, Matthew Lecroy. He’s been off the field for more than a decade and is currently employed as a coach in the Minors, so obviously he won’t be Castro’s replacement.
No, Minnesota’s next receiver won’t be Lecroy, but it should be Lucroy. That’s the last name of All-Star catcher Jonathan, who is currently calling games for the A’s.
With Oakland in the midst of a rebuild and trailing the rest of the teams in the AL West, the front office would likely be willing to trade Lucroy for a top-10 Twins prospect. Since he signed only for 2018, Minnesota would simply lease Lucroy for this season.
Giving up a prospect for a rental player may seem short-sighted, until you consider the Twins’ position this year. Everyone in their division besides Cleveland is in rebuilding mode, giving Minnesota plenty of likely wins and a good chance to repeat as one of the Wild Cards if they can’t beat the Indians.
Basically, the Twins need to attack now.