The Minnesota Twins have solidified their catching depth by agreeing to terms with veteran backstop Victor Caratini on a two-year contract worth $14 million, according to reports from FanSided's Robert Murray. This move addresses a key positional need for the Twins as they prepare for the upcoming season, bringing in a seasoned defender with nearly a decade of major league experience.
Caratini, who will turn 32 before Opening Day, enters his tenth season in the big leagues having established himself as a reliable switch-hitting catcher capable of handling pitching staffs effectively. The Puerto Rico native has spent time with four organizations throughout his career, most recently enjoying a productive two-year stint with the Houston Astros where he demonstrated improved offensive capabilities.
The financial terms of the agreement, confirmed by MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, will pay Caratini $7 million annually, matching the salary structure the Twins recently offered to first baseman Josh Bell on his one-year deal. This investment signals the organization's confidence in Caratini's ability to contribute both behind the plate and in the batter's box.
Defensive Prowess and Pitcher Relationships
Throughout his career, Caratini has earned a reputation as a solid defensive catcher who excels at the subtle aspects of the position. His ability to block errant pitches in the dirt consistently rates among the better catchers in the league, while his pitch-framing skills have drawn praise from coaches and pitchers alike. What truly sets him apart, however, is his exceptional work with pitching staffs.
Colleagues and former teammates frequently highlight Caratini's talent for building strong relationships with hurlers, a skill that proves invaluable over the grind of a 162-game season. His bilingual abilities allow him to communicate seamlessly with pitchers from diverse backgrounds, while his patient demeanor makes him particularly effective when working with younger, developing arms. These qualities should integrate perfectly with the Twins' existing infrastructure, which has prioritized catcher-pitcher chemistry in recent years.
Offensive Evolution and Power Surge
While Caratini's career batting line of .244/.321/.371 suggests a light-hitting profile, his recent performance tells a more promising story. The catcher discovered a new gear offensively during his time in Houston, tapping into power that had previously eluded him throughout his career. His 12 home runs in 2025 established a new personal best, and the last two seasons represent the only campaigns where his slugging percentage has exceeded the .400 mark.
This power surge coincided with his time at Daikin Park, a venue known for favoring pull hitters, but the underlying improvements appear genuine. Caratini has always demonstrated a knack for making solid contact and avoiding strikeouts, rarely expanding the strike zone at the plate. His disciplined approach, combined with the mechanical adjustments he's made to his swing in recent seasons, suggests his offensive uptick may be sustainable moving forward.
Historic No-Hitter Achievement
One of the most remarkable chapters in Caratini's career came during the 2020 and 2021 seasons when he etched his name in baseball history. The catcher became the first backstop ever to catch no-hitters in consecutive seasons without any other catcher recording one in between. This unprecedented feat began in September 2020 when Caratini guided journeyman Alec Mills through a no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
The following season, after being traded to the San Diego Padres, Caratini again found himself calling pitches for history. This time, he partnered with Joe Musgrove to author the first no-hitter in Padres franchise history, a momentous occasion that ended San Diego's 52-year wait for such an achievement. These back-to-back no-hitters underscore Caratini's ability to elevate his game in high-pressure situations and his skill at managing pitchers through historic performances.
Fit with Twins' Catching Situation
The Twins' acquisition of Caratini creates a clear path for a platoon or equal partnership with incumbent Ryan Jeffers, mirroring the arrangement the team successfully employed with Christian Vázquez over the past three seasons. This approach allows Minnesota to keep both catchers fresh throughout the season while maximizing matchup advantages based on opposing pitchers.
Caratini's switch-hitting capability provides additional flexibility for manager Rocco Baldelli, who can deploy him against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers without concern for platoon splits. His veteran presence also brings a valuable voice to the clubhouse, similar to the recent addition of Josh Bell, offering guidance to younger players while adapting his own swing mechanics to remain productive.
Market Timing and Strategic Implications
The timing of this signing proved crucial, as the catching market moved quickly following J.T. Realmuto's decision to re-sign with the Philadelphia Phillies on a lucrative three-year contract. Realmuto represented the only catcher clearly ahead of Caratini in this offseason's free-agent hierarchy, so his removal from the market allowed Caratini's suitors to crystallize their offers.
For the Twins, securing Caratini early in the process provides stability at a position that can be difficult to fill mid-season. The organization now has two capable starting catchers under team control, which creates interesting strategic possibilities. While the plan likely calls for Jeffers and Caratini to share duties, the Twins could conceivably explore trade opportunities for Jeffers either before the season begins or at the July deadline if they receive an attractive offer. In such a scenario, Caratini would serve as a dependable stopgap primary catcher while the team develops a longer-term solution.
Roster Ramifications and Alex Jackson
This signing raises questions about the role of Alex Jackson, whom the Twins previously acquired to fill a smaller version of the role now destined for Caratini. Jackson, who is out of minor-league options, cannot be sent to Triple-A St. Paul without being exposed to waivers, creating a roster crunch. The team must now decide whether to carry three catchers, attempt to trade Jackson, or risk losing him on waivers to create roster space for Caratini.
Conclusion
The Minnesota Twins' addition of Victor Caratini represents a calculated move to strengthen their catching depth with a proven veteran who brings defensive reliability, offensive potential, and championship-caliber experience. His ability to work with pitchers, combined with his recent power development and historic achievements, makes him an ideal complement to Ryan Jeffers. As the Twins continue building their roster for a competitive 2025 season, Caratini's presence behind the plate should provide both stability and flexibility, giving the team quality options at one of baseball's most demanding positions.