Minnesota Twins Sign Catcher Victor Caratini to Two-Year Deal

thelanges5 · January 17

As individual pieces I like Caratini and Bell. This roster still doesn’t make a lot of sense. There have to be a few more moves. Falvey and Zoll’s stove is still simmering. Today would be a good day to sign Dominguez or Kopech and trade Larnach + a lottery guy for Vodnik.

Eris · January 17

14 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

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.

If a focus is on starting pitching then pairing that with quality catchers who call a good game makes sense. Not sure if our catcher quality meets that criteria.

TopGunn#22 · January 17

With Jackson out of minor league options I think this greatly increases the odds of Ryan Jeffers being traded before opening day. Caratini and Jeffers would have made a decent tandem, but now the Twins can bring back something of good value with a Jeffers trade without losing him for nothing.

It's too bad the Realmuto news broke before the Twins signed Caratini. It would have been more interesting with the Phillies bidding on Jeffers as well.

Interesting note by chpettit19 about the Twins having the 10th and 12th highest paid catchers in baseball for 2026. I don't think that's the plan going forward, thus making a Jeffers trade all the more likely.

All in all, I like this move, especially if it results in a Jeffers trade that brings a worthy return.

Original_JB · January 17

OK, so I'm looking at this (and this entire off-season) from a $$$/value move going forward, and ignoring the 'makeup' of the team entirely. They aren't going anywhere this year, and the changes that occur with the new labor agreement are most likely going to far outweigh the attendance variations they'll incur by 'punting' the season. They will make value trades/signings (like this one) based on "what's going to be in demand" and what can give maximum flexibility on the field and at the trade deadline. So what if they end up with 5 1B? This year's record doesn't matter, you just want to have the trade chips that are in demand, and not have long term obligations. So, is this a good signing in that regard? IMO, yes.

amjgt · January 17

I like Jeffers, but what teams are looking at their 2026 catching options and thinking “Jeffers would be a big upgrade over this”

To someone’s earlier point, if a team who was looking at 2026 as a contending year felt they needed a better catcher they could’ve accomplished that by signing Caratini. Sure Jeffers is a bit better and only a one year commitment, but a) the difference between them in not THAT vast, and b) for most teams looking to compete in 2026, the extra year commitment at $7m is a big whatever, especially compared to the asset(s) that might be needed to acquire Jeffers from the Twins.

So you need to find a team that wants to really compete in 2026, lacks good catching, is kind of pinching pennies, and has some trade assets they are willing to give up.

JD-TWINS · January 17

16 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

So, um, this is interesting. Is Jeffers getting traded? Something else?

Maybe Jeffers plays 1B for 45 games?

LH pitcher: Jeffers at 1B …… Bell at DH ….. Caratini at C

Caratini at 2 years & Jackson for ‘26 seem to have the position covered……… can Team trade Jeffers & a Young (AAA) arm for a better hitter?

Could keep Jeffers and move him around a bit and still trade at deadline if there’s a specific need then? Lots of unknowns.

Signing better players, hitters, even if not completely understood at this point - it’s a good thing!

IndianaTwin · January 17

11 hours ago, amjgt said:

Really interesting how many people in this thread feel like they know what the Twins 2026 payroll is going to be.

a) the Twins haven’t said anything about it with any detail

b) what possible incentive would they have to give payroll details? ”Yep. We’re going to be at $110M on the button.” They would lose what little amount of leverage they might feel like they have.

Yep.

And what we did hear most recently (after new ownership was announced and after it was stated that Ryan, Lopez and Buxton, and I'd say by extension, Jeffers, were staying around) was language that the FO had a little flexibility and would potentially be able to add some salary. No one implied $140-$150M, but it wasn't sounding like $100M either. It's still four weeks from spring training and the MO has been to move late. The Coulombes of the world are still available. I suspect we'll still see one or two of those that add $5-$8M.

jmlease1 · January 17

As it stands, I like adding Caratini to the squad. He can hit a bit, which is hard to find at catcher, and looks like a good partner for Jeffers to at least somewhat split the job. There's a little positional flexibility in that he can cover some 1B if needed and having that option in a pinch is nice, though I'd prefer he not really be DHing.

Is it the best use of the limited resources available to the Twins due to their self-imposed budgetary limitations from the Cheap Pohlads? I dunno, but it at least seems reasonable and should raise the floor. I'm concerned that they're only going to dumpster dive for bullpen support, and while I do believe we have young pitchers that make sense to slide into the bullpen and could certainly have early success...it's asking a lot.

In a vacuum, I like this signing. In the context of the roster and the payroll, I have concerns.

bunsen82 · January 17

3 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

This is the key. Caratini was waiting to see if Realmuto signed with Philly, or elsewhere. The Twins likely had this offer on the table. Once Realmuto signed in Philly, Caratini accepted the offer.

i think they will try to pass Jackson through waivers. It’s unlikely he gets claimed, but it’s win-win; if he is claimed, the claiming team pays his $1.8million salary, and if he isn’t claimed, they’ve got catching depth at St. Paul.

The real question this signing raises to me is whether they have also have a standing offer(s) out to 1-2 bullpen arms?

Or is there a third $7mm signing for 7s wild?

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-alex-jackson-settles-with-minnesota/

Alex Jackson agreed to $1.35 million contract avoiding arbitration. The $1.8 million number was the estimated contract number at the time of the trade.

So Caratini, as has been stated by several - he is an extremely solid catcher. I have no qualms about running a Caratini Jeffers combo if we choose to do so this year. Caratini is an average to slightly above average defensive catcher, and has improved his offensive profile to almost league average by swinging at less balls out of the zone and pulling the ball more. Also he performed better outside of MinuteMaid park that at home so there is some slight potential at even a boost above this. Unlike several of the players that we have grabbed like Jackson who had a really nice SSS. Caratini has done this over 2 years. So ultimately a 2 year contract for a backup catcher who has been improving his offensive numbers seems like a really really good deal. Now we will see how the contract breaks out. I would not be surprised at all for a split contract of $6 million for 2026 and $8 million for 2027.

Many seem confused about Jackson. At this point I am not. Jackson was cheap insurance if . . . if . . . the Twins did not get the player they wanted which was Caratini. They traded away Eeles who likely does not see a major league field or if he does will have minimal impact, for a player that showed last year he could be a backup catcher.

So is a trade incoming . . . and for whom? My guess is there is nothing on the table right now. What this does is give the Twins options. Injuries happen especially in spring training. Remember how did Alex Jackson get to the Orioles in the first place, they had a rash of injuries (4) and traded $250k of international money and a player to be named for a player with the stat line most like to talk about which is not very good. Then he flashed. At the very least we are now in a position of strength. I had come into this season thinking there was no way we were trading Jeffers I have stated as much. We just didn't have the experience or the depth to handle trading Jeffers before the season or during the season. I thought the best option the Twins had coming into the season getting value for him was a QO. Now the odds of that was slim. The equation on that has now changed.

What this does is give the Twins options. Could we see a situation where they flipped Jackson to someone else for something the Twins need. Absolutely. At a $1.35 Salary that is open to most teams If they have a sudden need and we are probably getting more back than Eeles. Could we keep Jackson as our backup and trade Jeffers at the beginning of the season if someone is willing to give good compensation. Absolutely. Some wonder why a team wouldn't just pick up Caratini and be willing to trade for Jeffers. Jeffers has more history behind him and more upside and is viewed as a starter not as a backup. They could try to sneak Jackson to AAA and keep him there until a trade or injury materializes.

So ultimately I think this goes back to the Pursuit of Value thread. In this case this signing absolutely helps the team. It is a value signing anyway you cut it. Caratini is worth more than 2 years $14 million. This gives us a starting catcher option and depth for 2 years. Ultimately it allows the Twins to likely extract more value either from Jackson or Jeffers. The Twins can say what they want to compete, but the endgame is likely a Jeffers trade is coming, when who knows. 2 weeks, end of spring training, May, June - Trade deadline. The end game will be much much better than the combined value of Peyton Eeles and $1.35 million and a $7 million a year contract to Caratini that is almost equal to Jeffers. That is what Jackson and Caratini allow us to do. That I can see as a dollar and cents move for a player in Jeffers that back in November I saw as player that we had no options to trade throughout the year.

stringer bell · January 17

12 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Maybe Jeffers plays 1B for 45 games?

LH pitcher: Jeffers at 1B …… Bell at DH ….. Caratini at C

Caratini at 2 years & Jackson for ‘26 seem to have the position covered……… can Team trade Jeffers & a Young (AAA) arm for a better hitter?

Could keep Jeffers and move him around a bit and still trade at deadline if there’s a specific need then? Lots of unknowns.

Signing better players, hitters, even if not completely understood at this point - it’s a good thing!

Pretty sure that it would be Caratini at first and Jeffers behind the plate. The other scenario is Jeffers at DH and Caratini catching. I can see both Jeffers and Caratini starting 110-130 games with neither playing more than 90 at catcher.

chpettit19 · January 17

1 hour ago, Eris said:

If a focus is on starting pitching then pairing that with quality catchers who call a good game makes sense. Not sure if our catcher quality meets that criteria.

If the focus is on starting pitching I'd also think they'd want to pair that with a quality bullpen. Not sure if our bullpen quality meets that criteria. 😉

The Twins should want quality everywhere, no matter what the "focus" is. The truly competitive teams have quality everywhere. You need to be able to hit, pitch, and defend. So far the Twins have part of the pitching covered, by my estimation. Don't think they have any of the rest of it even close to covered.

stringer bell · January 17

Responding to @bunsen82, while Alex Jackson is cheap insurance, his time last year may have made him a candidate to be a major league backup catcher. I don't think that is nothing and that he should be frittered away on a DFA claim.

Trading Jeffers for value and going with Caratini, Jackson and Pereda carries risk because each guy would be asked to step up a level while in their 30s, but many other teams have had worse catcher tandems in the 2020s.

I do think catcher defense is a big deal and I like the idea of having a good defender as the backup catcher as opposed to a guy who might someday be a good hitter. That would define Jackson.

The #3 guy should have options and major league experience. That is Pereda.

IndianaTwin · January 17

12 hours ago, Old Twins Hat said:

What I see is: Twins picked up Jackson because they knew they would need to have someone with credible MLB experience as a backup catcher, If, If they could not land a second catcher in Free Agency.

And when you are a low-budget team, you have to protect against an outright disaster.

Because you know what: one injury to Jeffers in Spring Training and the Twins' season goes down the drain counting on Jackson.

And guess what, after Realmuto signs, Phillies withdraw from the catcher market, Twins swoop in and bag Caratini.

Smart move. Minority opinion, but, Falvey played this perfectly. He had to have set this all up in advance; it was just two hours after Realmuto signed.

Not only is Caratini a competent, above average stick at catcher, he switch-hits and can play 1B. The flexibility this offers the lineup, with switch hitting Bell at 1B and DH, while Caratini can play 1B, C, DH is as good as a budget team can put out there.

And guess what: Baldelli ain't managing and I would bet my step-son that Shelton won't be shy about hitting Caratini or putting him at 1B while Jeffers catches. (My step-son has high test scores and lives in the basement. Call me.)

Jackson will not be on the Twins team unless Jeffers or Caratini get injured.

If there's one position you do not want to suck at, it's catcher. They're literally involved in every pitch when on the field.

Twins will not suck at catcher. It's a good move.

Thanks, OTH. You saved me a bunch of keystrokes. I think it's a good move as well for the reasons you describe and will add a little.

They earlier talked about Jeffers being the "No. 1 catcher," rather than a 50/50 split. Caratini seems like an excellent fit for a 2/1 split, with Jeffers getting about 108 starts and Caratini 54. Jeffers in the first and third games of series, Caratini in the middle, etc. That's better than alternating Jeffers and Vazquez. The team has improved at catcher.
Caratini is a great fit should Jeffers get hurt, a definite improvement over Jackson. Last year's No. 3 option was Gasper. Jackson seems better.
Having Jackson on a "guaranteed" contract is not a problem. As others have noted, Jackson's Dobnakian contract paying $1.35M makes it unlikely he'd get claimed on waivers if DFAed. His contract also makes it unlikely he opts out, so he's a great insurance policy, better than the minor league signings of catchers that often come with an opt out that's invoked when they see greener pastures elsewhere. If everybody's healthy, expect to see Jackson start on Opening Day at St. Paul.
Jackson is a great fit as a backup to Caratini if Jeffers gets hurt; he's a great fit as a backup to Jeffers (the previous plan) if Caratini gets hurt.
Folks have longed for an extension with Jeffers. He's a Boras client, which generally decreases the chances of an extension. They just did arguably the next best thing by locking in Caratini for two years, ensuring an MLB-level catcher is on the roster for 2027.
Folks are expecting a trade. Based on things like keeping the veterans and these modest spendings, I don't see that happening with Jeffers or Caratini. The time when fringe catchers do get traded or moved around is at the end of spring training, when teams have had an injury and are desperate for a live body for their backup. If all three are healthy and they do want to trade, I could see the Twins getting more than Peyton Eeles for Jackson in a trade in late March. And if all three aren't healthy or if nobody comes calling, see bullet 3.

As you said, smart move.

bunsen82 · January 17

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Responding to @bunsen82, while Alex Jackson is cheap insurance, his time last year may have made him a candidate to be a major league backup catcher. I don't think that is nothing and that he should be frittered away on a DFA claim.

Trading Jeffers for value and going with Caratini, Jackson and Pereda carries risk because each guy would be asked to step up a level while in their 30s, but many other teams have had worse catcher tandems in the 2020s.

I do think catcher defense is a big deal and I like the idea of having a good defender as the backup catcher as opposed to a guy who might someday be a good hitter. That would define Jackson.

The #3 guy should have options and major league experience. That is Pereda.

I agree the Twins may very well be willing to go with a Caratini, Jeffers duo for the year. If Jackson were DFA and claimed- we were out Eeles. As I said cheap insurance. I think Caratini was going to Philly if Realmuto did not resign. This was not a slam dunk option that the Twins were going to be able to get him. I think the Twins preference for the season of free agents or trade was clearly Caratini 1 and Jackson 2 and then a drop for the remainder of the catcher free agents. They ended up with both.

Like I said more than anything this gives us options. We have Caratini for 2 years, and we will see what happens with Jackson or Jeffers. I am more than ok running with a really solid backstop duo for the year.

Eris · January 17

8 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

If the focus is on starting pitching I'd also think they'd want to pair that with a quality bullpen. Not sure if our bullpen quality meets that criteria. 😉

The Twins should want quality everywhere, no matter what the "focus" is. The truly competitive teams have quality everywhere. You need to be able to hit, pitch, and defend. So far the Twins have part of the pitching covered, by my estimation. Don't think they have any of the rest of it even close to covered.

I agree with you. The problem is that the Twins have 5 ish positions that are below average with no expectations of upgrades until prospects arrive or “hope “ that the current players (Lee, Lewis, Larnach, Wallner, whose ever at 1B) can turn it around.

JD-TWINS · January 17

16 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

With Jeffers potentially at 1B maybe 40 starts and DH maybe 30 starts (or some combination) it leaves room, potentially for 3 Catchers. Caratini, on off days, is a routine option to PH as a switch hitter.

Nobody is trading for Jackson - completely agree.

They may carry 3 C’s to see how things go & then DFA Jackson or trade Jeffers in latter July?

jmlease1 · January 17

3 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Having Jackson on a "guaranteed" contract is not a problem. As others have noted, Jackson's Dobnakian contract paying $1.35M makes it unlikely he'd get claimed on waivers if DFAed. His contract also makes it unlikely he opts out, so he's a great insurance policy, better than the minor league signings of catchers that often come with an opt out that's invoked when they see greener pastures elsewhere. If everybody's healthy, expect to see Jackson start on Opening Day at St. Paul.

This is an interesting possibility and would be a fine way of ensuring you have sufficient insurance in the upper minors to cover a significant injury to either Jeffers or Caratini (or have basic competence ensured if there's another sell-off at the deadline). Would he actually pass through? Not sure, but the risk seems appropriate.

The Twins roster still has some issues that need addressing: not happy with the backup SS options (nor the dumpster diving claims they've made), the OF doesn't make sense (I'm sorry, if Outman gets a job on scholarship I'm going to be furious), and the bullpen needs reinforcements not just internal options. But I like the bolstering of catcher, so long as it doesn't shut off improvement for every other aspect of the squad.

mickster · January 17

17 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I can actually support this acquisition I think. On the negative side he has only shared the C role in a 50/50 measure twice in his career, 21 and 22. And when he carried the heavier burden his hitting was greatly diminished. But I like the signing considering our catching pipeline.

Does make me wonder about having 3 C's on ML contracts. Jeffers, Jackson and now Caratini. Would almost seem to open the door of trading one of Jackson or Jeffers maybe.

I fear they will deal Jeffers............ Jackson is out of options, This would then be a downgrade and bad deal

bunsen82 · January 17

9 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Nobody is trading for Jackson - completely agree.

https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-jackson-traded-to-orioles

https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-jackson-twins-orioles-trade

Catcher needy teams will always trade for a warm body with upside.

old nurse · January 17

15 hours ago, Linus said:

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

Interesting you could remember a number

saviking · January 17

17 hours ago, NYCTK said:

Sure. I assume like 8-10 mil per season?

7

bean5302 · January 17

16 hours ago, flags said:

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

I know what you're saying. Even I'm not sure at this point, lol. MLBTR is a very good source!

IndianaTwin · January 17

24 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I know what you're saying. Even I'm not sure at this point, lol. MLBTR is a very good source!

I really like MLBTR and highly recommend it to anyone not familiar with this source. They do a good job of reporting factual information and making regular updates to their stories as more information becomes available. They will report Tweets from other writers, but regularly offer alternative Tweets from people. They also do a great job of explaining contract nuances and their comprehensive views of teams and positional situations are indeed very comprehensive.

bunsen82 · January 17

7 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I know what you're saying. Even I'm not sure at this point, lol. MLBTR is a very good source!

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-alex-jackson-settles-with-minnesota/

He settled January 9th for 1.35 million.

Jose Herrera · January 17

I like the veterans we have signed. Bell and Caratini will help in the development of other active and prospect players.

DJL44 · January 17

MLB Trade Rumors reporting that Tampa is interested in improving their catching.

D.C Twins · January 17

19 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Umm, with Jackson out of options, either they keep three catchers or lose a catcher. I’m guessing there’s a deal for Jeffers being done.

oh yes.... Jeffers is so gone...

ashbury · January 17

LA Vikes Fan · January 17

15 hours ago, Doube Duty Dave said:

Why all the TD Larnach bashing? Statistically he was one of the team’s best hitters. Dump Clemens and his .213 average. He had a hit month and an half and quickly regressed to the mean.

I guess my thinking was that Clemens plays a decent 1B, can play 2B, and is a better OF. Now that we have Bell and Wagaman, Clemens won’t be seeing much 1B time. Makes him a lot less valuable to this roster. Maybe the choice really is between Larnach and Clemens after all. If it is, Larnach is the better player…

sweetmusicviola16 · January 17

4 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

With Jackson out of minor league options I think this greatly increases the odds of Ryan Jeffers being traded before opening day. Caratini and Jeffers would have made a decent tandem, but now the Twins can bring back something of good value with a Jeffers trade without losing him for nothing.

It's too bad the Realmuto news broke before the Twins signed Caratini. It would have been more interesting with the Phillies bidding on Jeffers as well.

Interesting note by chpettit19 about the Twins having the 10th and 12th highest paid catchers in baseball for 2026. I don't think that's the plan going forward, thus making a Jeffers trade all the more likely.

All in all, I like this move, especially if it results in a Jeffers trade that brings a worthy return.

I too still like the signing. But the team now has 14.5mil tied up in the C position. Honestly that's too much for a team with budget constraints. So I also look for a Jeffers trade, I conjecture in the next 4 weeks as having a C work with the pitchers throughout all of ST is preferred. But where I don't like the signing is if all 3 are kept meaning Jackson is taking a badly needed roster spot to be an emergency C and if either Jeffers or Caratini is plugged into the DH or 1B role with any regularity beyond a rare game here and there. No one if they are being honest about it can support playing league average hitters at 1B or DH is a good idea. If having all 3 around for 2026 does end up being the plan its a horrible one imo.

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