The Minnesota Twins are setting their sights on a return to October baseball, and while their offseason hasn’t made headlines, there’s a quiet confidence brewing in the Twin Cities. This is a team that’s flashed real potential in recent years-solid stretches of regular-season play-but translating that into postseason success has been the missing piece.
So far, the winter has played out just as expected: low on fireworks, high on calculated moves. After moving several players at the 2025 trade deadline, the Twins weren’t expected to make a big splash in free agency. But that doesn’t mean they’re standing still.
One of the more notable additions is veteran catcher Victor Caratini, who joins the club on a two-year, $14 million deal. It’s a move that adds both experience and depth behind the plate-a position where the Twins are already fairly well-stocked with Ryan Jeffers, Alex Jackson, and Jhonny Peralta. But Caratini brings a different dimension.
Since debuting in 2017, Caratini has carved out a steady, reliable career. He came up with the Cubs, was part of the Yu Darvish trade to San Diego in 2021, and has since spent time with the Brewers and Astros.
Last season with Houston, Caratini logged 114 games-just two shy of his career high-and put together a solid campaign: a .259 batting average, 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a .728 OPS. He’s not going to anchor the lineup, but he’s a switch-hitter with a veteran presence, and that kind of stability is invaluable over a 162-game grind.
Behind the dish, Caratini gives the Twins options. He’s a capable defender, handles pitching staffs well, and can hold his own at the plate. With Jeffers likely to see the bulk of the starts, Caratini figures to be a strong complement-someone who can step in seamlessly when needed and offer leadership in a young clubhouse.
Minnesota also made a low-risk, potentially high-reward move by claiming infielder Vidal Bruján off waivers from the Braves. Once a highly regarded prospect, Bruján has struggled to find his footing in the majors.
But the tools are still there-speed, defensive versatility, and a switch-hitting bat. Sometimes, all a player like Bruján needs is a new environment and a fresh opportunity.
The Twins are banking on that.
With Joe Ryan leading the rotation, and a core of hitters like Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis anchoring the offense, the Twins have a foundation to build on. The question now is whether these under-the-radar moves can help push them over the hump and into serious postseason contention.
Quiet offseason or not, Minnesota’s not waving any white flags. They’re building with intent-piece by piece-and hoping this version of the roster has the right mix to finally make a deeper run when it counts.