The Minnesota Twins have bolstered their catching lineup by signing veteran catcher Victor Caratini to a two-year contract, pending a physical examination. The deal, confirmed by a team source, addresses the Twins’ immediate needs behind the plate through the 2026 season.
Caratini, a nine-year Major League Baseball player, had a solid performance last season with the Houston Astros, posting a batting line of .259/.324/.404 along with 12 home runs over 386 plate appearances. His addition is expected to complement current catcher Ryan Jeffers, who will enter free agency following the upcoming season.
Earlier in the offseason, the Twins acquired Alex Jackson, the 2014 first-round pick who has played only 160 games in the majors since his debut in 2019. The Twins initially indicated that Jackson would serve as a backup to Jeffers, who had previously shared catching duties with free agent Christian Vázquez for the past three years.
Caratini has a career batting average of .244 with an on-base percentage of .321 and a slugging percentage of .371. He has played for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Milwaukee Brewers. While the Twins have expressed confidence in Jeffers, there is a possibility he could leave the franchise after the season.
Recent reports indicate that the Philadelphia Phillies have shown interest in acquiring Jeffers, particularly if they are unable to retain star catcher J.T. Realmuto, who has recently agreed to a new three-year deal. If Jeffers departs without Caratini’s presence, the Twins would face a significant challenge due to their limited options for major league-ready catchers.
The Twins do have a promising prospect in Eduardo Tait, whom they obtained from Philadelphia in a trade involving pitcher Jhoan Duran. However, Tait is only 19 years old and finished last season at High-A Cedar Rapids, indicating he may not be ready for immediate Major League action.
The signing of Caratini represents a strategic move by the Twins as they look to solidify their catching position and prepare for upcoming seasons in a competitive league.
