Minnesota Twins Sign Catcher Victor Caratini to Two-Year Deal

[Linus]

I wouldn’t think they would dfa Jackson unless they think his $1.8 million contract will make everyone pass. But then why would you give that guy almost 2 mil and not get a relief pitcher instead?

[SD happy]

Unless there is a trade, who is the next one up to be removed from 40 man? My guess is Brujan.

[TJSweens]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

He's not a black hole in the lineup, I'm surprised by this. 

I guess they were less confident in Alex Jackson than previously indicated? Fine by me. As long as they don't carry 3 catchers on the 26-man.

I see it more as a sign that Jeffers is going bye bye than being less confident in Jackson.

[Vanimal46]

This organization is not spending 2/$14 MM on a backup catcher. He will be the primary C and Jeffers will be playing elsewhere 

[chpettit19]

Twins now have the 10th and 12th highest paid catchers in baseball this year. That feels like a weird strategy for this club, especially after trading for Jackson and his (now) 30th highest catcher salary. Eeles was not a "real" prospect, and losing Jackson on waivers wouldn't be anything crazy, but ending up with neither of them doesn't feel like great asset management.

Still plenty of offseason to go, and, as the article says, we're just getting to Falvey's sweet spot on the schedule, but I don't see what the vision for this roster is.

[Danchat]

If Jeffers stays put, then I actually like having Caratini compliment him... but Jackson being here seems to hint at a Jeffers trade. It would be nice for a position to be an area of strength for this team.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Best catcher left on the market after Realmuto signed earlier today. It is an interesting signing. Leaves me wondering how the roster will look come opening day. 

[nicksaviking]

18 minutes ago, Linus said:

I wouldn’t think they would dfa Jackson unless they think his $1.8 million contract will make everyone pass. But then why would you give that guy almost 2 mil and not get a relief pitcher instead?

A 0.8M contract for Jackson might make everyone pass. He has no options, I can't imagine any team wants to promise a 26-man roster spot to him.

I mean, other than the Twins obviously, who are hopefully realizing now what a dumb idea that was.

[Brett]

If Jackson is DFA’d and not claimed, would he accept an assignment to St Paul? Maybe this is acceptable.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Could be wrong but it feels like a Jeffers trade is next up.  He is a good offensive catcher and it seems like teams have been enquiring about him.  They just said they were making Jeffers the primary catcher so seems odd to get Caratini after all the things they've said and done.

Certainly they could still hang onto Jeffers, but if they want any real value from him they need to trade him sooner rather than later.  We'll find out soon enough.

Agreed. This very much feels like a Jeffers trade is coming now that Realmuto is off the market.

[flags]

3 minutes ago, Brett said:

If Jackson is DFA’d and not claimed, would he accept an assignment to St Paul? Maybe this is acceptable.

i doubt he would take his chances that he would make more as a free agent

[howeda7]

In a vacuum this would be fine. On this roster in makes no sense. We now have 3 catchers, 4 first baseman but no bullpen or back-up SS. WTF are we doing?

[bean5302]

13 minutes ago, Brett said:

If Jackson is DFA’d and not claimed, would he accept an assignment to St Paul? Maybe this is acceptable.

0% chance. There's no incentive for him to accept the assignment. Since the contract was signed to avoid arbitration, the contract is guaranteed. If he refuses the assignment, any new team can pick him up and Jackson is still guaranteed at least as much as the Twins contract. This means any other team can sign Jackson for MLB minimum, but the the Twins will have to pay the balance and Jackson goes to the big show.

[CRF]

I hope this doesn't mean Jeffers is a goner. I'm ok with this deal if it means they keep Jeffers and Caratini as the two catchers.

[stringer bell]

Trying to fit round pegs in round holes......Caratini can be both the second catcher and an occasional first baseman. Jeffers can DH against left handers most of the time and Bell can bounce between first base and DH. Bell's career splits are pretty neutral, but if he continues to flail vs. lefties, the Twins have another guy who can be in the lineup against lefties who doesn't have severe platoon splits. Wagaman is optionable and could be sent to St. Paul with first base covered by Bell, Caratini and Clemens.

If the Twins find a way to DH Bell a lot against righties, either Martin or Larnach lose PAs. One utility infield spot still goes to a really bad hitter--Brujan, Kreidler or Arcia. Outman, Julien and maybe Clemens seem in competition for one spot until and unless Larnach is traded. Roden really doesn't fit unless he is the platoon left fielder, in which case Martin's role is diminished greatly.

There's still a need for bullpen help and thinning of the LH corner OF and DH candidates.

Adding a decent major league catcher who switch hits and can play first base is good, but the position player roster is still a mess.

[old nurse]

39 minutes ago, Linus said:

I wouldn’t think they would dfa Jackson unless they think his $1.8 million contract will make everyone pass. But then why would you give that guy almost 2 mil and not get a relief pitcher instead?

Sportrac and another source fast a 1.35 million contract, which is not almost 2 million

[flags]

4 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

0% chance. There's no incentive for him to accept the assignment. Since the contract was signed to avoid arbitration, the contract is guaranteed. If he refuses the assignment, any new team can pick him up and Jackson is still guaranteed at least as much as the Twins contract. This means any other team can sign Jackson for MLB minimum, but the the Twins will have to pay the balance and Jackson goes to the big show.

he would have to forfeit his salary to become a free agent. he doesn't have enough service time to guarantee the money but has enough to become a free agent if he wants

per mlbtraderumors:

Quote

If the Twins plan to hang onto both Caratini and Jeffers, then Jackson could get squeezed from the roster, since he is out of options. If he were to be passed through waivers, he would likely stick around as non-roster depth. He has more than three years of service time but less than five. That means he would have the right to elect free agency but would have to forfeit his remaining salary commitments in exercising that right.

 

[garn from vancouver]

i agree with others who think jeffers is gone. the twins won't carry that financial weight behind the plate. i am hoping am arm comes back be it middle relief or a fourth or fifth starter material while zebby and the slim reaper get up to speed. 

[old nurse]

19 minutes ago, Brett said:

If Jackson is DFA’d and not claimed, would he accept an assignment to St Paul? Maybe this is acceptable.

So the choice for Jackson would be AAA at 1.35 million here, chance a contract elsewhere and get maybe a million, or more likely lose a lot of money playing on a Milb contract.  

[bean5302]

4 minutes ago, flags said:

he would have to forfeit his salary to become a free agent. he doesn't have enough service time to guarantee the money but has enough to become a free agent if he wants

per mlbtraderumors:

 

I was pretty sure the 2022 CBA changed a rule regarding that. If Jackson went to arbitration, it wouldn't be guaranteed. If he settled to avoid arbitration, it IS guaranteed. At least from my understanding.

[stringer bell]

18 minutes ago, Brett said:

If Jackson is DFA’d and not claimed, would he accept an assignment to St Paul? Maybe this is acceptable.

With no options, Jackson really isn't the guy who can go back and forth freely to St. Paul. It seemed that the Twins were going to go with him as catcher #2, while Pereda would be a good fit as the #3 catcher who can move back and forth from AAA.

I really don't like seeing three catchers on the roster, even if Caratini plays 50 games at first base. Expecting a catcher injury or two and having a guy like Pereda to fill that role makes sense, but carrying three catchers for the bulk of the season really hurts the bench while providing little benefit. 

[flags]

3 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I was pretty sure the 2022 CBA changed a rule regarding that. If Jackson went to arbitration, it wouldn't be guaranteed. If he settled to avoid arbitration, it IS guaranteed. At least from my understanding.

not to say mlbtraderumors couldn't be wrong, but those guys are usually pretty on top of things

[Linus]

8 minutes ago, old nurse said:

Sportrac and another source fast a 1.35 million contract, which is not almost 2 million

At the time of acquisition it was reported to be $1.8. So I don’t know and guess I don’t really care. 

[Fatbat]

Seems like an upgrade! We have to assume there will be additional moves. Plenty of marginal talent to DFA.

[sweetmusicviola16]

33 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

With no options, Jackson really isn't the guy who can go back and forth freely to St. Paul. It seemed that the Twins were going to go with him as catcher #2, while Pereda would be a good fit as the #3 catcher who can move back and forth from AAA.

I really don't like seeing three catchers on the roster, even if Caratini plays 50 games at first base. Expecting a catcher injury or two and having a guy like Pereda to fill that role makes sense, but carrying three catchers for the bulk of the season really hurts the bench while providing little benefit. 

As a C Caratini is a good bat. His bat shouldn't be played at either DH or 1B imo,very poor bat for either position. Carrying 3 C's is very poor roster management. Either Jeffers or Jackson needs to be traded or you just stash Jackson at AAA and have him as expensive insurance. 

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

but I don't see what the vision for this roster is.

So, it's not just me?

[Fred]

2 hours ago, Brandon Glick said:

As a Cubs fan, it would be a crime against all Minnesotans if you guys have to watch Vidal Brujan take an at-bat in 2026.

As sad as it is, the Twins actually gained in BA and OPS replacing Gasper with Brujan. Of course, they did have an emergency catcher in Gasper. That said, I'll miss Luigi.

[HerbieFan]

They certainly could carry all three through most of Spring Training.  Then decide what the move is.  Clearly, Caratini will be on the 26-man and I like the move.  Can Jeffers be moved for an entire bullpen?!?!

[HerbieFan]

20 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

As a C Caratini is a good bat. His bat shouldn't be played at either DH or 1B imo,very poor bat for either position. Carrying 3 C's is very poor roster management. Either Jeffers or Jackson needs to be traded or you just stash Jackson at AAA and have him as expensive insurance. 

Guys....read the article.  Jackson is out of options.  He ain't going to St.Paul.

[Fred]

2 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I just don't see someone trading for Jackson at 1.8 or whatever. I'm a little nervous that they will carry 3 C's 

Unless they see Caratini playing 3rd or used as a DH (neither sounds acceptable), it would be crippling to use 2 bench spots on catchers