4 Steps to Solving the Twins’ Catching Woes

[Cody Christie]

Catching might be the biggest weakness on the Twins' roster entering the offseason. Ryan Jeffers is coming off another productive offensive season, but he is now a free agent and could be wearing another uniform in 2027. Victor Caratini is under contract, but his second-half performance left plenty to be desired. Meanwhile, Minnesota has one of baseball's most exciting young catching prospects on the horizon.

The Twins don't need to find their long-term catching solution this offseason. Instead, they need to build a bridge to the future while improving the position defensively. Here are four steps Minnesota should take to address its catching situation.

Step 1: Ryan Jeffers Accepts the Qualifying Offer

Perhaps Jeffers is worried about how his free-agent market will develop with the potential labor uncertainty looming over baseball. Perhaps he wants to bet on himself for one more season before testing the market again. Perhaps the one-year, $23.15 million deal is simply too lucrative to decline. Either way, Minnesota would benefit from Jeffers accepting its qualifying offer.

He remains one of the better offensive catchers in baseball. During the 2026 season, Jeffers hit .256/.353/.461 with 14 home runs across 368 plate appearances. His offensive production gives the Twins something they would have difficulty replacing in free agency.

Accepting the offer would also give Minnesota another season to evaluate its catching situation without committing to a multiyear contract. Jeffers gets a significant payday, and the Twins retain a familiar piece of their lineup. He has until November 17 to make his decision. The Twins should be hoping he chooses to stay.

Step 2: Trade Victor Caratini

Once Jeffers accepts, Minnesota should move quickly to find a trade partner for Caratini. The Twins signed Caratini to a two-year, $14 million contract last offseason, hoping he could provide reliable catching depth and a switch-hitting option. Unfortunately, his production dropped considerably as the season progressed.

After posting a .704 OPS before the All-Star break, Caratini managed just a .461 OPS afterward. He hit .179 with a .263 on-base percentage and went without a home run during the second half. Those numbers aren't good enough for someone Minnesota might otherwise need to rely on as its primary catcher.

Moving Caratini won't necessarily be easy. His contract carries $10 million in remaining obligations, including the 2027 salary and the buyout attached to his 2028 mutual option. Minnesota will likely need to absorb some of that money to make a trade attractive to another club. Still, the Twins shouldn't let last year's signing dictate their plans for 2027. They need a more dependable backup option.

Step 3: Sign a Strong Defensive Catcher

After moving Caratini, Minnesota should prioritize finding a catcher with above-average defensive abilities. It was difficult watching opposing runners take advantage of the Twins throughout the 2026 season. The club needs to improve its ability to control the running game, block pitches and provide consistent defensive work behind the plate.

This doesn't need to be an expensive addition. The Twins could pursue an experienced veteran who has established himself as a reliable defensive catcher. His offensive production shouldn't be the primary consideration.

In fact, Minnesota should be comfortable signing someone who hits below .200 if he provides meaningful defensive value. There are plenty of ways to create offense throughout a roster, but a dependable defender behind the plate can make an entire pitching staff more effective. Jeffers can handle the majority of the offensive responsibilities while a defensively focused backup takes on a complementary role.

Step 4: Vahn Lackey Debuts in September 2027

The final step involves the organization's most exciting long-term solution at catcher. Lackey was selected third overall in the 2026 MLB Draft after an outstanding junior season at Georgia Tech. He hit .397/.519/.772 with 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases, establishing himself as one of the best offensive catchers in college baseball.

He also brings considerable defensive upside. MLB Pipeline gave him a 60 overall scouting grade, with a 60 grade for his throwing arm and a 55 grade for his defensive skills. His athleticism and potential behind the plate make him an exciting prospect for Minnesota.

Lackey made his professional debut in July and appeared in both Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids during his first season. He still needs time to develop, but the Twins have an opportunity to build their catching situation around his eventual arrival.

A September 2027 debut would be an aggressive timeline with 2028 being a more realistic expectation for his arrival. However, if Lackey progresses quickly, a late-season opportunity could give him valuable experience before taking on a larger role the following year. The organization should resist rushing him, but it also shouldn't block his path with unnecessary long-term commitments at catcher.

The Twins don't need to solve every catching problem with one offseason signing. They need to approach the position with a clear plan. Keeping Jeffers for another season, moving on from Caratini, adding a defensively reliable backup and developing Lackey would give Minnesota a much-improved catching outlook.

There are other positions that need attention this offseason, but catcher deserves to be near the top of the priority list. A successful four-step approach could help the Twins stabilize the position in 2027 while preparing for a much brighter future behind the plate.

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Will the Twins be able to follow these steps? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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[Patzky]

It sounds like you'd like to return to the storied days of the past. Sign Jeffers to a one year 28,000,000 contract, trade Victor and resign Vazquez. Is that it? It sounds like that's it 

[nova_twins]

Caratini has near zero value. Also makes no sense to assume Jeffers will accept the qualifying offer. 

[tony&rodney]

Please stop with articles that involve Jeffers.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Whether Jeffers is with the team next season or not, Caratini should not be in the plans. He was nearly unplayable both offensively and defensively after his short hot streak. 

IMO, Jeffers accepting the QO is Plan A. 

Resigning Jeffers to a multi year deal would be Plan B. 

After that it looks to me as if Tyler Stephenson is the best FA option or you try and trade for a starter. 

I do agree that the backup should absolutely be a defensive guru. Someone that, given enough starts, could win a gold glove. 

[Rosterman]

Well, Jackson, Banuelos and Olivar all left via minor league free agency. The AAA Noah Cardenas is still at St. Paul. Diaw shall advance rom Wichita.

Yes, Caratini is NOT the choice.

I would look at moving Jeffers to 1st base if you COULD resign him to a longer contract. Depends on how much you want to dink around with Lewis, still, at that position.

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, soyouresayingtheresachance said:

Whether Jeffers is with the team next season or not, Caratini should not be in the plans. He was nearly unplayable both offensively and defensively after his short hot streak. 

IMO, Jeffers accepting the QO is Plan A. 

Resigning Jeffers to a multi year deal would be Plan B. 

After that it looks to me as if Tyler Stephenson is the best FA option or you try and trade for a starter. 

I do agree that the backup should absolutely be a defensive guru. Someone that, given enough starts, could win a gold glove. 

Tyler Stephenson led all of baseball for the most steals against a catcher. He has a weak arm and is a poor framer. I suggest glove first, Austin Hedges should be signed by the Twins to a 2 year deal worth 7 million dollars total. I know Hedges is a poor hitter, but the Twins pitchers need a glove first catcher. 

[Andy MacPhail]

I like your 4 steps, But more than likely, step 1 won't happen. Yet we can find a good substitute with even more years & follow through with the rest of the steps, hoping that step 4 will happens but not obligated to do so.

[DJL44]

Just do step #3

[Riverbrian]

[MeleMouth]

Maybe SDP will trade Ethan Salas for Wallner and Mendez?

Or TOR will trade Valenzuela for Raya and DeBarge?

Or maybe PHI will trade Realmuto for Keaschall?

Or or maybe MLW will trade one year of Contreras for Tait + CJ Culpepper.

Or or or maybe Jeffers will lock in for 3/$90M!

[Permanent Twins Fan]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Just do step #3

Agree. I was going to comment the exact same thing. These 4 seem like fun, but I think step 3 is the only one that will or should happen. I would love to see Lackey up by the end of this year, but I don't see that happening especially with Diaw still ahead of him. Not saying he should block Lackey, but Lackey is still young and I think best case scenario is opening day 2028.

[Big City]

Freddy Fermin or Luis Campusano from the Padres would be my preference and bench Caratini.  Caratini was never a starting catcher so the Twins plan with him was flawed.  He thrived in coming off of the bench so let him do that.

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, MeleMouth said:

Maybe SDP will trade Ethan Salas for Wallner and Mendez?

Or TOR will trade Valenzuela for Raya and DeBarge?

Or maybe PHI will trade Realmuto for Keaschall?

Or or maybe MLW will trade one year of Contreras for Tait + CJ Culpepper.

Or or or maybe Jeffers will lock in for 3/$90M!

Realmuto??  Really?  Trade Keaschall for a 36-year-old catcher that hit .205 last year?

[MeleMouth]

48 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Realmuto??  Really?  Trade Keaschall for a 36-year-old catcher that hit .205 last year?

OK OK you don't like that one. How about Festa and Caraballo to ARI for Moreno??? They'll go for that, right?

Any other totally reasonable deals you see? I mean, besides paying bajillions to Jeffers, trading Caratini, and signing an unknown "strong defensive catcher," while planning for last year's first rounder to make it to the majors two years faster than 1-1 generational talent Adley Rutschman (only one if you assume AR did nothing besides playing CoD during Covid)? Based on Minnesota's great history of developing players? That's some slick LAA 2012-2026 draft-picks-to-the-majors-stat strategery there.

[TL]

I don’t think it is a foregone conclusion that Jeffers doesn’t accept the QO. I think he would need to easily clear 60MM to make it worthwhile to reject. Keep in mind that the QO is substantially hurting his value because the team that signs him would give up a 2nd round pick plus all the draft money that comes with it. I’ve seen that total value pegged at $10MM + but even if it is only half of that it’s still large.

Here are two very realistic scenarios:

• Reject and get 4 for 60MM or
• Accept and get 23MM for 2027 + at least 3 for 39MM as a free agent = 62MM

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, TL said:

I don’t think it is a foregone conclusion that Jeffers doesn’t accept the QO. I think he would need to easily clear 60MM to make it worthwhile to reject. Keep in mind that the QO is substantially hurting his value because the team that signs him would give up a 2nd round pick plus all the draft money that comes with it. I’ve seen that total value pegged at $10MM + but even if it is only half of that it’s still large.

Here are two very realistic scenarios:

• Reject and get 4 for 60MM or
• Accept and get 23MM for 2027 + at least 3 for 39MM as a free agent = 62MM

He would have to be monumentally stupid to reject $60M because he might be able to make an extra $2M.  Free agents take the biggest total amount almost all the time, especially a catcher.  My guess is that he rejects for anything less than 3/$45M at which point the Twins should offer something similar.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

10 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Tyler Stephenson led all of baseball for the most steals against a catcher. He has a weak arm and is a poor framer. I suggest glove first, Austin Hedges should be signed by the Twins to a 2 year deal worth 7 million dollars total. I know Hedges is a poor hitter, but the Twins pitchers need a glove first catcher. 

Thats not a terrible idea, either. After Jeffers, the Catching options are not great. Stephenson would be the closest comparison offensively, being I think hes the only other available Catcher with an OPS+ over 100. But, yeah, the defense is worse than Jeffers. A defensive wizard might be the way to go. 

[stringer bell]

Even though he was disappointing last year, I think Caratini isn’t as terrible as most are saying. He’s hit decently in the past and his defense is okay, with the exception of slowing the running game. Perhaps the overuse when Jeffers went down wore him down and he lost his edge. The Twins need somebody to catch a majority of games who can limit the running game.

I like Lackey’s game and since he is both a college guy and a Top Five draft pick, he should be ready comparatively quick. Maybe some time in ‘27. 

[umterp23]

So some people feel lackey can make the jump now in 2027 after finishing the season in A-ball and be with the big club. 25 games in the minors and yet let’s say 80 games more and he is now the twins catcher? 2028 at best is he with the big club and that might be wishful thinking

[farmerguychris]

Sounds perfect -make it happen.  Side note - I think I'd be fine with Jackson being our 2nd catcher - great pop time.

[Riverbrian]

4 hours ago, TL said:

I don’t think it is a foregone conclusion that Jeffers doesn’t accept the QO. I think he would need to easily clear 60MM to make it worthwhile to reject. Keep in mind that the QO is substantially hurting his value because the team that signs him would give up a 2nd round pick plus all the draft money that comes with it. I’ve seen that total value pegged at $10MM + but even if it is only half of that it’s still large.

Here are two very realistic scenarios:

• Reject and get 4 for 60MM or
• Accept and get 23MM for 2027 + at least 3 for 39MM as a free agent = 62MM

There are cautionary tales of players who declined the QO and entered free agency and struggled to match the QO.  

I'm not saying that Jeffers is going to be the next Ian Desmond... but there are cautionary tales. HIs projection... (accurate or not) is currently between 12 and 15 million AAV. And 15 million AAV is what the highest paid catchers are making these days. 

This makes the length of the contract key. 4 Years? Realmuto, Grandal, Brian McCann and Russell Martin are the only ones I can think of in the past decade that have signed a contract of that length.

They were all back half problems. 

Boras will push for a 60 million dollar deal. Will he get it? Some estimations have Jeffers signing Caratini like deal because of his defensive issues?

  

 

[Cris E]

This whole house of cards is based on Ryan taking the QO.  So when he says No what's the answer? Are we doooooomed?  What's the price point where you buy Ryan Jeffers so the next three steps can roll on?  Do we go higher annual value for three years or go four at a little lower point? Is 3/$48m too high? 4/$58m ? 

You need to answer that because you can't skip step #1 and then drop Caratini, find some mythical defensive guy who you won't complain about, and then hope that a college kid will be ready after 300 minor league AB.