A look at our minor league signings and thoughts going forward.

 Today the Guardians announced the signing of 4 minor league free agents who were offered invites to ML spring training.  Let's take a look:

CAM GALLAGHER 

What he brings: Here is a guy who profiles as a likely replacement for Luke Maile.  The Guardians have said that, if healthy, they expect Zunino to catch the bulk of the games this coming season.   As Gallagher backed up Salvador Perez for years, this makes the backup role in Cleveland perfect.  Add to that the fact that he brings Maile-average offense and defense to the backup role and we lose nothing. 

Impact on the roster: The backukp catcher role is still a bit of a jumble but having Gallagher here does provide the same insurance that Maile provided last year.   In terms of how it impacts the other catchers in the system it depends on how it all sorts out.   Right now we have 3 catchers rostered, Zunino, Naylor and Lavastida AND we have a full-40-man roster.   We also have, in addition to Gallagher, Meibrys Viloria on a minor league deal.   

From where I sit there are are few scenarios to consider:

1. Lavastida's struggles last year were because of his injuries and he looks like a reasonable backup this spring..  If Zunino is healthy and Lavastida is whole this spring, it makes sense for Lavastida to be the backup.  If that happens I doubt Gallagher stays as I am sure he has an opt out if he doesn't make the roster..   Naylor goes to catch every day at Columbus and Viloria becomes his caddy.  The 40-man roster remains untouched as no one is added.

2. Naylor overwhelms his competition this spring and miraculously makes the opening day roster.  In this, the most unlikely scenario, Zunino and Naylor split the catching duties and we work Naylor into the lineup to get him some DH ABs.  Lavastida and Viloria split the cathing duties at Columbus, Gallagher opts out.  

3. Lavastida is not ready, Zunino is healthy and Naylor doesn't overwhelm his competition.  This, the most likely scenario, is where things get sticky.   We have no choice but to add Gallagher to the 40-man as he would make the 26-man.   We are not likely to have 4 catchers on the 40 man given how many unuseable (n 2023 players already are on that roster (Tena, Brito, Martinez, Noel_ so Lavastida becomes in danger of getting traded or DFA'd.   This all would come down to what the organization thinks of Lavastida long-term.  If he an average catcher with above-average offensive and OB skills?  Is what he showed in 2022 what he really is going to be (a AAAA catcher)?  He just turned 24 so he is young and hit very well in 2019 (draft year) and 2021.   

4. Someone gets hurt.  So if Zunino is not ready for openeing day but if it is Luke Mailer situation (10 day DL) we have to determine who starts.  At that point I think Naylor starts and Lavastida backs him up.  If Zunino goes on the 60-day DL, then we have a spot for Gallagher and he and Naylor or Lavastida share the catching duties.

5. We bring in Gary Sanchez as our backup.   I think the signing of Gallagher precludes that.  No way is Gallagher going to AAA to be Naylor's caddy.  Plus, we now have to clear a 40-man roster spot and I just don't see that happening.

In none of these scenarios (one injured catcher, Lavastida not ready) do I see Viloria making this team out of spring training.  Multiple catchers would have to be hurt and, even then, 

ROMAN QUINN

What he brings: He is a switch-hitter, who plays good defense, has speed and takes his walks, all in the Guards wheelhouse for the players they want  He does strikeout a lot which is not in the Guardians wheelhouse right now.

Impact on the roster: Quinn's situation is much less complicated.  As the Guardians (and all other teams) have in the past they fill in their AAA and AA rosters with veterans.  Quinn is just that.  Our AAA roster doesn't have a lot of outfielders so this fit is good.  Plus, if we can stash Quinn in Columbus he provides insurance if we have a disaster in the majors and Valera isn't considered ready.  But, unlike Gallagher, Quinn is just insurance and while he likely makes AAA Columbus' roster this year, it is not out of the question that he could get pushed to AA Akron.

TOUKI TOUSSAINT 

What he brings and his impact on the roster: This year's Enyel De Los Santos wanna be, Toussaint brings ML-ready insurance to Columbus.  He protects in case of injury (on the cheap, that is) by providing a warm body with ML experience and success.  Like many guys before him (Anthony Castro, Yohan Ramirez, Ian Gibault, most recently) he stands a decent chance, if healthy, to get some ML innings this year.   The upside is if they figure out what he needs, having another de los Santos-type reclamation project be uber successful this year can only help.  Worst case is he provides innings at AAA UNLESS we get Enright and Kelly back from the Rule 5, in which case if Toussaint doesn't look good in ST, he might, in an unlikely scenario, get released.

MICHAEL KELLY

What he brings and his impact on the roster: Interestingly, I see Kelly as having a job in Columbus only if we don't get Nic Enright and Kevin Kelly back from the Rule 5.  If we do I don't see Michael Kelly being needed.   He, like many before him, appears just to be an organizational filler who eats innings to save our pitching prospects at AAA or AA.  Wouldn't be surprised to see him released so he can end up pitching in Asia this coming season.

SUMMARY

Well, our signings are starting to get a little more interesting in that it poitns to not going after another FA catcher (Perez, Sanchez) although it does not preclude us from adding a veteran reliever or two, either on ML or minor league deals nor do these signings preclude us from adding some AAA depth in the outfield.