Breaking News: The Minnesota Twins have just inked catcher Victor Caratini to a two-year deal, and it's stirring up some interesting questions about the team's strategy! According to reports from Robert Murray of FanSided, the deal is worth a cool $14 million. Let's dive into what this means for the Twins.
Caratini, a seasoned veteran entering his 10th big-league season, brings a wealth of experience from his time with the Cubs, Padres, Brewers, and Astros. He's a career .244/.321/.371 hitter, but his power numbers saw a noticeable uptick during his two-year stint in Houston. He's a switch-hitter, which offers the Twins some valuable flexibility, and is known for being a solid receiver, praised by pitchers for his ability to block pitches and his rapport with the pitching staff.
Initially drafted by Atlanta as a second-round pick in 2013, Caratini's path to the majors initially included a potential role at third base. However, he eventually transitioned to catching, where his physical attributes were less of a concern. He consistently makes contact, but hasn't always shown consistent power. This could be partly due to hitting too many ground balls or often playing a supporting role. His 12 home runs in 2025 were a career high.
However, Caratini is known for avoiding strikeouts and rarely expanding the strike zone. Hailing from Puerto Rico, he's a skilled handler of pitching staffs, is bilingual, and has a knack for working with developing pitchers. He should fit in well with the Twins' existing setup, and like Josh Bell, he offers both matchup advantages and a veteran presence who has recently made valuable adjustments to his swing.
But here's where it gets controversial... Caratini has a unique claim to fame: In 2020 and 2021, he was the catcher for no-hitters with no other player catching one in between. He guided Alec Mills through a no-hitter for the Cubs in Milwaukee in September 2020, then teamed up with Joe Musgrove to achieve the first no-hitter in Padres history the following season.
Earlier in the week, catcher J.T. Realmuto agreed to return to the Philadelphia Phillies on a lucrative three-year deal, as part of what has been an extremely busy week of signings throughout the league. Realmuto was the top catcher available, so once he signed, Caratini's market quickly became clear. The Twins can plan on him as an equal partner to Ryan Jeffers, just as they arranged things with Christian Vázquez for much of the last three years, but if they get a strong offer for Jeffers (either in the next two months or come July), they could trade him and feel good about Caratini as a stopgap primary backstop.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Caratini will earn $14 million over two seasons, matching the annual salary Bell got on his one-year pact.
And this is the part most people miss... This move raises some eyebrows, because the Twins had previously acquired Alex Jackson to fill a similar role. Jackson is out of minor-league options and can't be sent to Triple-A St. Paul, so the team will need to move one of Jeffers or Jackson by Opening Day. Jackson, of course, was a low-cost pickup and doesn't have the same track record as Caratini and Jeffers, but he also doesn't cost nearly as much.
Every offseason, the Twins tend to wait until the later stages of free agency, often making minimal moves. However, they frequently swoop in and sign players who have been overlooked by the market. Caratini wasn't completely off the radar, but his modest price tag suggests that the team waited for the right opportunity. It's not surprising that Derek Falvey and his staff got involved at this level, but it does raise questions about the team's next moves this offseason.
What are your thoughts on this signing? Do you think Caratini is a good fit for the Twins? Will this impact the role of other catchers on the team? Share your opinions in the comments below!
