The Minnesota Twins made a bit of a head-turning move Friday afternoon, agreeing to a 2-year, $14 million deal with veteran catcher and first baseman Victor Caratini. On the surface, it’s a puzzling addition - not because of Caratini’s ability, but because the Twins already had two big-league catchers on the roster and have been operating under well-documented payroll constraints this offseason. So what gives?
Let’s dig into what this signing could signal for Minnesota’s next move - and what it might mean for Ryan Jeffers, the current starting catcher who’s suddenly looking a little more expendable, or perhaps more versatile.
1. Is a Jeffers trade brewing?
Ryan Jeffers has already been floating in the trade rumor waters this winter, and Caratini’s arrival only stirs those waves more. With Caratini now locked in for $14 million over the next two seasons, it’s fair to wonder if Jeffers - projected to make $6.7 million in 2026 - fits into the Twins’ financial picture. Especially when you consider that Caratini gives them an extra year of team control compared to Jeffers.
There had been some smoke around Jeffers and the Phillies, but that connection fizzled once J.T. Realmuto’s return to Philly was confirmed.
Still, there are several teams out there that have been linked to the catching market this offseason - the Padres, Cubs, Rays, and Pirates among them. Jeffers isn’t a superstar, but he’s a solid, reliable backstop with a strong offensive profile and a manageable salary.
That’s a valuable commodity in today’s game.
If Minnesota does decide to move Jeffers, they’d essentially be swapping one catcher for another in terms of payroll - but with the added benefit of gaining an extra year of control with Caratini. Plus, a Jeffers trade could net the Twins a meaningful return, perhaps addressing needs in the infield or bullpen. For a team trying to thread the needle between staying competitive and managing costs, that’s a path worth exploring.
2. Or is Jeffers now viewed as a bat-first asset?
Of course, there’s another way to look at this - one that doesn’t involve shipping Jeffers out of town. What if the Twins are simply reimagining his role?
Jeffers has quietly been one of Minnesota’s most productive hitters. He posted a 113 wRC+ and a .752 OPS in 2025, numbers that put him behind only Byron Buxton, Luke Keaschall, and Matt Wallner among current Twins hitters. That’s not the kind of bat you want buried behind the plate 120+ games a year, especially given the wear and tear that comes with catching.
Enter Caratini, a steady defensive presence who gives the Twins the flexibility to lighten Jeffers’ workload behind the dish. That could mean more time for Jeffers at first base or DH - roles that would allow the Twins to keep his bat in the lineup more consistently while preserving his health. Think something closer to a 100-game catching load, with the rest of his appearances spread across other spots.
If that’s the play, it also means Kody Clemens likely slides into a more limited role. Clemens could still be a useful piece - a lefty bat who can cover multiple positions - but he wouldn’t be leaned on as heavily, which might suit him better in the long run.
In this scenario, Caratini becomes the primary catcher, at least defensively. Offensively, he’s no slouch either - he posted a 104 wRC+ and a .728 OPS last season.
That’s not far off from Jeffers, and it gives the Twins a bit of consistency no matter who’s behind the plate. Defensively, Caratini actually edges out Jeffers in some metrics - most notably in Baseball Savant’s “blocks above average,” where his +4 rating ranked 15th among MLB catchers in 2025.
3. Is Alex Jackson the odd man out?
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one. The Twins added Alex Jackson earlier this offseason as a kind of insurance policy - a depth move to ensure they weren’t caught short at catcher. But now with Caratini in the fold, Jackson may no longer have a clear path to the roster.
Jackson is out of minor league options, which means the Twins can’t stash him in Triple-A without exposing him to waivers. If there’s no trade market for him, a release could be coming. In that case, the Twins would likely roll into the season with a Caratini-Jeffers tandem, similar to the Jeffers-Vázquez split from recent years - just with a different twist in terms of usage.
What’s next?
The Caratini signing doesn’t just fill a roster spot - it opens up a range of possibilities. Whether it’s a precursor to a Jeffers trade or a shift in how the Twins deploy their best hitters, this move gives the front office options. And with the way the 2025 season exposed some of the team’s offensive inconsistencies, finding creative ways to maximize production from within might be just as important as any external addition.
Now the ball’s in the Twins’ court. Do they deal from a position of strength at catcher to address other needs? Or do they double down on versatility and try to squeeze more value out of the bats they already have?
Either way, Caratini’s arrival has added a new wrinkle to Minnesota’s offseason - and it’s one worth watching closely.