Twins agree with veteran catcher Victor Caratini on two-year contract

The best way for a free-agent catcher to gain the attention of the Twins, apparently, is to play for the Houston Astros in the previous season.

After the Twins employed Christian Vázquez for the past three seasons, and Jason Castro from 2017-19, the Astros-to-Twins catching pipeline returned on Friday, Jan. 16, when Victor Caratini agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Twins, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The signing is pending a physical examination, which is expected to take place before Twinsfest begins on Jan. 23.

Caratini, a 32-year-old switch hitter, is the replacement for Vázquez, who became a free agent at the end of last season, and he will share time behind the plate with Ryan Jeffers. Caratini hit .259 with 12 homers and 46 RBI in 114 games with the Astros last year.

Considered a solid defender at blocking pitches in the dirt, Caratini gives the Twins a veteran catcher to work with their young pitching staff.

Plus, his two-year contract carries importance if Jeffers departs within the next year. Jeffers is eligible to become a free agent at the end of the upcoming season, and the Twins lack reliable options in the upper minor leagues.

The Twins acquired Alex Jackson from Baltimore in a small trade in November, but he has never played more than 58 games in a season, and he is a career .158 hitter. Jackson, notably, is out of minor league options.

Caratini, who signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Astros before the 2024 season, was considered the second or third-best catcher on the free-agent market behind J.T. Realmuto.

The Phillies re-signed Realmuto earlier on Jan. 16 to a reported three-year, $45 million contract.

Caratini started 48 games at catcher for the Astros last season, 29 at designated hitter and 10 at first base. He entered another 25 games as a pinch hitter. The Twins will be his fifth big-league team.

The Twins already have a full 40-man roster and will need to make a corresponding transaction to make room for Caratini once he passes his physical.

Caratani is the first Twins free agent signing to a multi-year contract since the organization re-signed Carlos Correa prior to the 2023 season.