Today it was reported that the Minnesota Twins have signed catcher Victor Caratini to a 2-year deal worth $14 million dollars.
Caratini, 32 was the backup for the Houston Astros last season to C Yainer Diaz. Caratini hit 12 HR, drove in 46 while having an wRC+ of just over 100 and an OPS over .720. Caratini has had his best two offensive seasons in his last two years providing better catchup depth and maybe even a spot at first rotating with 1B Josh Bell. Now the Twins have 4 catchers on their 40-man roster, Jhonny Pereda, Ryan Jeffers, Alex Jackson, and now Victor Caratini, so that gives the question, are the Twins gonna stick with four catchers? I believe not, I think that this move could set up Ryan Jeffers for a trade, with Caratini being as good if not better than him the last 2 years. Jeffers gets into free agency in 2027 and some teams are likely willing to give up and solid reliver or two for a solid catcher still making arbitration money.
This move is easily the best so far in the Twins offseason. They still have work to do to try to get a couple of arms for the currently weak bullpen led by Cole Sands and Kody Funderburk.