For 2027, Twins Have a Gaping Hole Behind Home Plate

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins had a clear plan when they entered last winter’s free-agent market. Christian Vázquez was leaving after an underwhelming three-year run in Minnesota, and the team needed someone capable of bridging the gap behind the plate. They landed on Victor Caratini. (Maybe the Twins should just stay away from veteran catchers from Houston.) Vázquez combined for just 0.1 rWAR and a 60 OPS+ across three seasons with Minnesota. Caratini was supposed to provide a more competent offensive option, while also giving the Twins some flexibility.

The Twins signed Caratini to a two-year contract, knowing Ryan Jeffers was entering the final season of his team control. The idea was straightforward. Caratini could handle some of the workload, Jeffers would become more like a full-time starter, and Minnesota would have a veteran catcher under contract heading into 2027.

Things haven't worked out quite that cleanly. Caratini struggled out of the gate, posting a .538 OPS through the end of May. Then, almost overnight, he became one of the best hitters in the Twins lineup. Jeffers landed on the injured list, forcing Caratini into an everyday role. He responded with one of the best offensive stretches of any Twins hitter this season. In 20 games during June, Caratini hit .338/.429/.631 for a 1.059 OPS, with five home runs and four doubles. That stretch made the decision for 2027 look a little easier.

Then July arrived. Caratini has posted just a .494 OPS since July 1. His last extra-base hit came on July 20. The offensive production that made him look like a potential solution has largely disappeared. That's a problem, because Minnesota's catching depth chart for 2027 gets pretty thin if Caratini isn't able to rediscover the hitter he was in June.

Organizational Catching Depth

Behind him is Alex Jackson, who has been a serviceable backup. Jackson can provide some defensive stability and occasional offense, but asking him to become a primary catcher would be a significant gamble.

The Twins don't have an obvious answer waiting at Triple-A, either. Ricardo Olivar, Noah Cardenas, and David Banuelos represent the organization's primary depth at the position. Olivar had a 131 wRC+ at Triple-A before suffering an injury, giving him the most intriguing offensive profile of the group. Cardenas has posted a 93 wRC+, while Banuelos has struggled to a 53 wRC+.

There is still time for those players to change the conversation, but expecting any of the three to walk into Minnesota next season and become a reliable big-league catcher would be asking a lot.

Could the Twins Bring Back Jeffers?

That brings the conversation back to Jeffers. The Twins could make Jeffers a qualifying offer, which would put him in position to return on a one-year contract worth more than $24 million. That's a lot of money for a catcher, particularly for a team that has dramatically reduced its payroll over the last few seasons.

At the same time, Jeffers would likely prefer the security of a multi-year contract. If he declines the qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, the team acquiring him would also have to surrender a draft pick. That could complicate his market, but it wouldn't necessarily prevent him from landing a significant deal.

For the Twins, the question becomes whether Jeffers is worth the investment. And if Minnesota doesn't bring him back, the free-agent market doesn't exactly offer inexpensive alternatives.

Free-Agent Catching Options

There are several recognizable names who could be available, including Carson Kelly, Tyler Stephenson, Travis d'Arnaud, Kyle Higashioka, Gary Sánchez, and Jonah Heim. Some of those players have mutual options that could keep them off the market, but there should still be catching talent available. The problem is that good catching usually isn't cheap.

The Twins have spent the last year trying to figure out how much they can get from their current roster, while keeping payroll under control. Catcher could force them to make a difficult decision. They could spend significantly to bring Jeffers back, pursue another veteran, or take a chance on their internal options. None of those choices is particularly comfortable.

Caratini's contract gives the Twins one catcher for 2027, but it doesn't give them a definitive answer. Jackson is a backup. The Triple-A options remain unproven. Jeffers is almost sure to sign elsewhere, leaving a real void that must be filled somehow.

The Twins spent last winter trying to bridge the gap at catcher. Now, they need to figure out how to build the position back up. If Caratini's June performance proves to be a last burp of effectiveness from a declining player, Minnesota could enter the offseason with one of the biggest holes on the entire roster sitting directly behind home plate.

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What should the Twins do at catcher? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I was glad that they didn't trade Jeffers at the deadline - in hindsight, they probably should have. He hasn't a great end to the season but I don't think that will hurt him too much in free agency and he'll still be out of the Twins' price range. Caratini and Jackson, anyone? 

[Nashvilletwin]

The decision is a no-brainer: re-sign Jeffers to a 4 yr. $70MM or so deal.

Jeffers is C1 in ‘27 and probably ‘28 or until Lackey is ready. After that, he starts at 1B, is DH on the other days, and is emergency C3.

We will have plenty of cash with a new floor and after losing both Ryan and Lopez after the strike shortened ‘27 and Buxton after ‘28.

Easy peasy.

 

[DJL44]

The front office blew it with Jeffers 2 years ago. 

They seem to be quite invested in Alex Jackson, paying him $1M to never play just so they can keep him for 2027-28. It would be strange to value him that highly if they didn’t intend to play him next season.

[laloesch]

30 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

The decision is a no-brainer: re-sign Jeffers to a 4 yr. $70MM or so deal.

Jeffers is C1 in ‘27 and probably ‘28 or until Lackey is ready. After that, he starts at 1B, is DH on the other days, and is emergency C3.

We will have plenty of cash with a new floor and after losing both Ryan and Lopez after the strike shortened ‘27 and Buxton after ‘28.

Easy peasy.

 

Pretty much this.  Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers will be gone at the end of this season. 

I didn't realize this but Joe Ryan's contract has a mutual option meaning even if the Twins want to pick up his option he HAS to agree, otherwise he can walk at the end of this season.  I hope he wants to stick around but I've heard he wants to go back to California.  It's very possible both Ryan and Jeffers walk as soon as the season is over.  Jeffers wants a long contract and a big pay day and the Twins are unlikely to give him that. 

Lopez's contract ends at the end of the 2027 season (if there is one).  I think it's safe to assume it's gonna take him a good chunk of the 2027 season to get his feet under him (this is his second TJ surgery), but then he's a free agent as well at age 31/32.  I doubt the Twins re-sign him unless it's a good deal for the team.  

Buxton's contract ends at the end of 2028.  I can't imagine he'll sign an extension.  Given his health issues I believe he will retire.

I also doubt the Twins carry Ober and Larnach beyond 2027. 

The Twins will have shed a huge amount of salary by then (over 63.75 million annual).  At the conclusion of 2028 the Twins will also stop paying 10 million a season for what's left of Correa's contract as well.  

They will have to spend a TON of money to meet a 171.2 million dollar floor if that makes it into the new CBA.

[HarmonK03]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

The front office blew it with Jeffers 2 years ago. 

They seem to be quite invested in Alex Jackson, paying him $1M to never play just so they can keep him for 2027-28. It would be strange to value him that highly if they didn’t intend to play him next season.

But yet he is not good enough to get even one start now when giving Jeffers a day off, the logic is truly baffling.

[HarmonK03]

The Caratini signing never did make sense.  He is in his mid 30's and hasn't consistently been a top or #1 catcher.  Houston trade for Vasquez because they didn't trust him to be the backup.  Yet the plan was for him to be the bridge.  I believe he was signed because of his positional flexibility, this is nice but can we start worrying about talent instead.  Caratini was never going to repeat his June numbers which was a career month, we have been seeing the real Caratini.

This front office needs to go so we can come up with a real plan to raise the talent level.

I would sign Jeffers if you can even if you overpay and move off of Caratini to recoup of the salary.

[DJL44]

18 minutes ago, laloesch said:

Pretty much this.  Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers will be gone at the end of this season. 

I didn't realize this but Joe Ryan's contract has a mutual option meaning even if the Twins want to pick up his option he HAS to agree, otherwise he can walk at the end of this season.  I hope he wants to stick around but I've heard he wants to go back to California.  It's very possible both Ryan and Jeffers walk as soon as the season is over.  Jeffers wants a long contract and a big pay day and the Twins are unlikely to give him that. 

Lopez's contract ends at the end of the 2027 season (if there is one).  I think it's safe to assume it's gonna take him a good chunk of the 2027 season to get his feet under him (this is his second TJ surgery), but then he's a free agent as well at age 31/32.  I doubt the Twins re-sign him unless it's a good deal for the team.  

Buxton's contract ends at the end of 2028.  I can't imagine he'll sign an extension.  Given his health issues I believe he will retire.

I also doubt the Twins carry Ober and Larnach beyond 2027. 

The Twins will have shed a huge amount of salary by then (over 63.75 million annual).  At the conclusion of 2028 the Twins will also stop paying 10 million a season for what's left of Correa's contract as well.  

They will have to spend a TON of money to meet a 171.2 million dollar floor if that makes it into the new CBA.

If either party declines Ryan’s option they still control him in arbitration.

[PuckettPond]

Since quality catchers are unicorn rare Twins need to draft 2 of the top 5 catchers in each draft. Trading those assets to teams who will over pay thus giving the Twins a better future. Small market teams must do things different from the Yankees, Dodgers & Cubs. We can compete we just need to take a different path.

[Whitey333]

The Twins not trading any or all of Ryan, Jeffers. Larnach was a total waste of resources and a lesson on how not to build a team..  how can anyone count or plan on having Buxton and Ryan as your core?  Buxton routinely plays under 100 games per year and Ryan in 50 career Twins second half starts has an ERA over 5.00.  Very strange philosophy.

[killertwinfan]

It seems there is no gap in the front office’s mind. Caratini & Jackson. Not exciting at all but serviceable. 

[Hunter4848]

1 hour ago, HarmonK03 said:

The Caratini signing never did make sense.  He is in his mid 30's and hasn't consistently been a top or #1 catcher.  Houston trade for Vasquez because they didn't trust him to be the backup.  Yet the plan was for him to be the bridge.  I believe he was signed because of his positional flexibility, this is nice but can we start worrying about talent instead.  Caratini was never going to repeat his June numbers which was a career month, we have been seeing the real Caratini.

This front office needs to go so we can come up with a real plan to raise the talent level.

I would sign Jeffers if you can even if you overpay and move off of Caratini to recoup of the salary.

Overpay for an old catcher, no thank you

[wesnewy]

I think there is definitely a chance they are banking on Lackey or Tait taking a step this offseason and FLYING through the minors with Vic as the placeholder until then

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

I was glad that they didn't trade Jeffers at the deadline - in hindsight, they probably should have. He hasn't a great end to the season but I don't think that will hurt him too much in free agency and he'll still be out of the Twins' price range. Caratini and Jackson, anyone? 

If it's Car-Jack, I see the breakdown as 160 starts for Victor and 12 for Alex. Less if there's a work stoppage.

Pitchers better pitch in to buy good kneepads for Caratini for Christmas.

[HarmonK03]

2 minutes ago, Hunter4848 said:

Overpay for an old catcher, no thank you

J understand what are you saying but they need a different plan than Caratini and I am not sure what is out there.  So it is either live with the gaping for a year maybe two, sign Jeffers or find another solution.

[Hunter4848]

2 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

J understand what are you saying but they need a different plan than Caratini and I am not sure what is out there.  So it is either live with the gaping for a year maybe two, sign Jeffers or find another solution.

Jeffers extension makes me nervous with his age, the toll the position takes on the body, and with how much his production had fallen off these last few months. 

But you are certainly correct, there isn't anything for good options behind him. 

[strumdatjag]

1 hour ago, wesnewy said:

I think there is definitely a chance they are banking on Lackey or Tait taking a step this offseason and FLYING through the minors with Vic as the placeholder until then

That is the position the Twins are in.   Plan on a work stoppage marred season in 2027 while one among Lackey, Tait, Diaw … gets prepared for a late 2027 debut.   The Twins should have their eye on 2028 and beyond, not the mess that will likely be the 2027 MLB Season.  
Not trading Jeffers and others at this year’s deadline was a mistake.  

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

But yet he is not good enough to get even one start now when giving Jeffers a day off, the logic is truly baffling.

It's idiotic.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, wesnewy said:

I think there is definitely a chance they are banking on Lackey or Tait taking a step this offseason and FLYING through the minors with Vic as the placeholder until then

That's a risky bet.  Catastrophe if they are wrong.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

2 hours ago, laloesch said:

Pretty much this.  Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers will be gone at the end of this season. 

I didn't realize this but Joe Ryan's contract has a mutual option meaning even if the Twins want to pick up his option he HAS to agree, otherwise he can walk at the end of this season.  I hope he wants to stick around but I've heard he wants to go back to California.  It's very possible both Ryan and Jeffers walk as soon as the season is over.  Jeffers wants a long contract and a big pay day and the Twins are unlikely to give him that. 

Lopez's contract ends at the end of the 2027 season (if there is one).  I think it's safe to assume it's gonna take him a good chunk of the 2027 season to get his feet under him (this is his second TJ surgery), but then he's a free agent as well at age 31/32.  I doubt the Twins re-sign him unless it's a good deal for the team.  

Buxton's contract ends at the end of 2028.  I can't imagine he'll sign an extension.  Given his health issues I believe he will retire.

I also doubt the Twins carry Ober and Larnach beyond 2027. 

The Twins will have shed a huge amount of salary by then (over 63.75 million annual).  At the conclusion of 2028 the Twins will also stop paying 10 million a season for what's left of Correa's contract as well.  

They will have to spend a TON of money to meet a 171.2 million dollar floor if that makes it into the new CBA.

I am happy to report that you are incorrect. Yes, Ryan and the team do have a mutual option for '27, but Ryan remains unted team control whether that mutual option is exercised or not.

[Vanimal46]

2 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

But yet he is not good enough to get even one start now when giving Jeffers a day off, the logic is truly baffling.

They're hiding him on the roster like he's a rule 5 draft pick. As frustrating as it is for us fans, imagine how he feels. He's had 4 PA total since the trade deadline. If I'm him, I want to play... not rot on the bench. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

19 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

That is the position the Twins are in.   Plan on a work stoppage marred season in 2027 while one among Lackey, Tait, Diaw … gets prepared for a late 2027 debut.   The Twins should have their eye on 2028 and beyond, not the mess that will likely be the 2027 MLB Season.  
Not trading Jeffers and others at this year’s deadline was a mistake.  

The way the seasons seem to shake out for the Twins, I say wait until the 2035 season. 

[LastOnePicked]

A gaping hole might be okay. Pitch-framing skills aren't really needed anymore, and it's not like our catchers are currently throwing out base-stealers. The ump should be able to keep a lot of pitches from going to the backstop. It'll be fine.

[MeleMouth]

In the realm of short-term thinking causing missed opportunities, this year Tyler Stephenson and Kyle Higashioka had higher salaries than Jeffers and Travis D'Arnaud was close. Instead of signing Jeffers when he was more affordable, the Twins had a short-term plan to trade him this summer and go into 2027 with Caratini as #1, which pivoted to an even shorter-term plan to keep Jeffers.

Remember that going into this year, they had no idea that Lackey would shoot up the draft boards or that they would get him; their organizational plan was based on Tait, a 19 year-old who had struggled in a half-season in A+. At the end of the year, their organizational plan now starts with two catchers in A+, so possible organizational solutions are still far away. After two or three short-term plans, they now have at least a large medium-term problem.

I want to say "stick to the Lackey-Tait plan and stop improvising a new plan every time the previous plan proves wrong or hits a bump in the road, because each improvisation turns into a new error, often in less than a year. Get a very good defensive catcher on an affordable contract. Use the money elsewhere."

But easier said than done. All of the free agent options were worse defensively than Caratini this year, and many of them are much older. Finding a solution is going to be a challenge.

Jackson is a poor solution: his defense was mediocre and his bat was extremely lucky. He can't be counted on to be more than a #3 catcher.

[Scott51104]

"It seems there is no gap in the front office’s mind."

Right

[farmerguychris]

2 hours ago, killertwinfan said:

It seems there is no gap in the front office’s mind. Caratini & Jackson. Not exciting at all but serviceable. 

I think its really this simple - not exciting at all, but perhaps workable until Lackey is ready to come up.....Hope the youngster learns quickly.  Oh - and try to sign Jeffers on the qualifying offer, then can let Jackson go.

[Nashvilletwin]

No reason to panic.  With one simple signing we can finesse our catching issues for a couple of years AND solve our first base problem for ‘29 and ‘30 when our window should be wide open.  Yes, all of that can happen when we resign Jeffers

Here’s the catching pipeline for the next four seasons:

2027: Jeffers, Caratini

2028:  Jeffers, Jackson/Diaw/Lackey

2029: Lackey, Diaw/Tait

2030: Lackey, Tait (and going forward)

Here’s the first base pipeline:

2027: Lewis, Clemens

2028: Clemens

2029: Jeffers, Tinney

2030:  Jeffers, Tinney (Tinney is 1B after 2030)

Here’s the DH lineup:

2027: Buxton, other outfielder

2028: Buxton, other outfielder

2029: Tinney, Jeffers, Diaw, Lackey

2030: Tinney, Jeffers, Diaw, Lackey

Granted, this assumes the prospects stay on schedule.  But this scenario is very plausible.

 

 

 

 

[HarmonK03]

3 hours ago, killertwinfan said:

It seems there is no gap in the front office’s mind. Caratini & Jackson. Not exciting at all but serviceable. 

Have you been watching the games, I am not sure how you can say this plan would be serviceable.  Caratini is a backup at best.

[D.C Twins]

Cody, you should talk to your colleague Sam... he seems to think that we have a glut of catchers that we need to leverage. You two could have a fun conversation!

[D.C Twins]

6 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

No reason to panic.  With one simple signing we can finesse our catching issues for a couple of years AND solve our first base problem for ‘29 and ‘30 when our window should be wide open.  Yes, all of that can happen when we resign Jeffers

Here’s the catching pipeline for the next four seasons:

2027: Jeffers, Caratini

2028:  Jeffers, Jackson/Diaw/Lackey

2029: Lackey, Diaw/Tait

2030: Lackey, Tait (and going forward)

Here’s the first base pipeline:

2027: Lewis, Clemens

2028: Clemens

2029: Jeffers, Tinney

2030:  Jeffers, Tinney (Tinney is 1B after 2030)

Here’s the DH lineup:

2027: Buxton, other outfielder

2028: Buxton, other outfielder

2029: Tinney, Jeffers, Diaw, Lackey

2030: Tinney, Jeffers, Diaw, Lackey

Granted, this assumes the prospects stay on schedule.  But this scenario is very plausible.

 

 

 

 

Step 1: outbid the Yankees for Jeffers.... what could possibly go wrong!