Earlier this offseason, the MN Twins traded with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire catcher Alex Jackson. It appeared as though that Jackson, the former 1st round pick (2014 – 6th overall, would back up veteran starter Ryan Jeffers.

Christian Vazquez is long gone, and while Jackson is on the 40-man roster, there is now a clear new backup joining the team. Minnesota’s second major league free agent deal of the offseason has gone to Victor Caratini.

Victor Caratini new Minnesota Twins catcher

On Friday, the Minnesota Twins agreed to a two-year deal with veteran free agent Victor Caratini. The catcher can immediately pair with Ryan Jeffers to shoulder the load behind the dish.

Victor Caratini has agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal with the Twins, per source. The deal is pending physical. @ByRobertMurray was on it.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 16, 2026

With Bell’s deal being only one year in length, Caratini’s agreement is the first multi-year pact of the offseason for Minnesota. Caratini is a former 2nd round pick (2013) out of Puerto Rico and is now 32 years old.

After starting his career with the Chicago Cubs, Caratini has spent time with the Padres, Brewers, and Astros. Last season with the Houston Astros he played in 114 games, and batted .259/.324/.404. The 101 OPS+ represents a substantial step up from Christian Vazquez’s 52 OPS+ with Minnesota.

Rocco Baldelli was rigid in his usage of catchers, mainly rotating them on a game-by-game basis. It remains to be seen how new Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton will deploy the tandem.

In 119 games last year, Ryan Jeffers batted .266/.356/.397. His power numbers sagged dramatically from the 2024 season, and he has often been a question mark when it comes to availability.

Like Jeffers, Caratini will need to show a level of defensive prowess next season. Not only is the ABS challenge system coming to the big leagues, but throwing out base stealers remains a focal point of the position. Despite being an offensive black hole, Vazquez got playing time because of his defense.

As this stands, neither Caratini nor Jeffers would be lauded for their glove work. That is why Vazquez was able to play 65 games despite being having very low productivity on offense.

Caratini does provide the Twins a chance to run a platoon at the position. He’s a switch hitter and has neutral career splits. His .698 career OPS against right-handed pitchers is right on par with Jeffers’ .694 OPS against those same arms. Jeffers owns an .848 OPS against southpaws, while Caratini posted a lesser .674 mark.

State of the Twins catching situation

With the addition of Victor Caratini, the Minnesota Twins now have a clear tandem at the big league level. Both Jeffers and Caratini are expected to be on the major league roster. The former Astros backstop can also play first base and should fill in as the designated hitter, giving them added flexibility.

Alex Jackson just got $1.3 million in arbitration. He is out of minor league options and must be on the big league roster or be subjected to waivers. It’s possible the Twins find a way to move him, but it would be bad business to acquire him only to pay his arbitration raise and designate him for assignment.

Minnesota’s 40-man roster is also full. They could simply designate Jhonny Pereda, the other catcher on it, to make room for Caratini. The Twins really are just running in circles at this point, though.

Ryan Jeffers is a free agent after this season, and he could get paid. As he’s hitting the open market at just 29, the MN Twins might decide he’s just not worth what he’s being offered elsewhere. Caratini gives Minnesota an immediate stopgap option for 2027 if that’s the case. Eduardo Tait, the top acquisition at the trade deadline (came over in the Jhoan Duran trade), is a catcher, but is only 19 years old at Single-A.