5 Twins players who could be valuable trade chips this offseason
By Josh Hill
Christian Vazquez, C
Earlier this offseason there was some discussion over whether Vazquez was too expensive for the Twins plans next year. That's a conversation worth revisiting in light of the payroll situation, as every penny will count when it comes to finding ways to improve the roster.
He's entering the second year of a deal $30 million deal that expires at the end of the 2025 season. Paying $10 million a year feels like a lot more than it did before the payroll shrunk, but Vazquez is an elite defensive catcher who wouldn't be easy to replace.
Vazquez makes sense as a trade candidate, though, especially if the Twins have plans for Jair Carmago. He made waves at Triple-A St. Paul last season and is someone the team made sure to protect from the Rule 5 Draft by adding him to the 40-man roster.
It's a gamble to go from Vazquez to Camargo, but it would open up an even bigger lane for Ryan Jeffers to be the everyday catcher for the Twins. Minnesota could also go out and find a cheaper option than Vazquez, but that doesn't seem to be the team's first option. Despite how expensive he is, the plan seems to be having him continue to split time with Jeffers next season, but it hardly feels like he's untouchable if the right offer comes along.