Twins agree to deal with catcher Victor Caratini

Caratini, 32, is a nine-year major league veteran who most recently played for the Houston Astros, hitting .259 with a .728 OPS in 114 games for Houston last year. He also hit a career-high 12 home runs and drove in a career-high 46 runs last season.

The Twins had a need at catcher this offseason with veteran Christian Vázquez hitting free agency himself after three seasons in Minnesota. During those three seasons, the Twins primarily employed an even timeshare between Ryan Jeffers and Vázquez. Now, Caratini and Jeffers — who is a free agent himself after the 2026 season — should split playing time.

The Twins also acquired catcher Alex Jackson, who has limited major league experience, in a minor swap with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this offseason.

While he is primarily a catcher, Caratini — who has played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers and Astros — also has some experience at first base, appearing in 88 major league games there.

It’s the first contract of more than a year that the Twins have handed out since they extended starting pitcher Pablo López in April 2023. He also becomes the first free agent signed to more than a one-year deal since shortstop Carlos Correa earlier that year.

Caratini’s deal marks the second major league free agent the Twins have signed this offseason, joining first baseman Josh Bell, who signed a one-year deal with a mutual option worth a guaranteed $7 million. It’s been a relatively quiet offseason otherwise for the Twins, who still must make improvements to a bullpen that was dismantled at last season’s trade deadline.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 12, though this front office has often continued making additions to the roster after the beginning of spring training.