The Minnesota Twins have moved to address their catching depth, acquiring veteran backstop Alex Jackson from the Baltimore Orioles. In exchange, the Orioles received minor-league infielder Payton Eeles.
Filling a Post-Vázquez Void
This trade was prompted by the departure of Christian Vázquez, who became a free agent after the 2025 season. While Ryan Jeffers remains the undisputed starting catcher, the Twins were left with a significant lack of proven experience behind him. The acquisition of Alex Jackson directly addresses this gap, injecting a seasoned, right-handed bat into the competition for the primary backup role.
Jackson, who will turn 30 in December, is expected to immediately contend for a spot on the major league roster. He will likely compete with prospects such as Jhonny Pereda and utility man Mickey Gasper during spring training. The Twins are getting a defensive-minded catcher who can also provide a platoon option to spell Jeffers against left-handed pitching.
What Alex Jackson Brings to the Twins
Once a Top 100 prospect, Alex Jackson's journey has taken him through six different MLB organizations, including the Braves, Marlins, and Brewers. However, he showcased promising skills in a limited sample size with the Baltimore Orioles last season.
In just 100 plate appearances, Jackson launched a career-high five home runs, posting a slash line of .220/.290/.473. His performance in Triple-A has been even more impressive, with a .517 slugging percentage across 313 games at that level. Although his overall major league line is a modest .153/.239/.288, the Twins are evidently betting on the power potential and defensive skills he displayed in 2025. He brings a strong throwing arm and valuable big-league experience to the clubhouse.
Roster Reshuffle and Trade Context
To make room for Jackson on the 40-man roster, the Twins made the difficult decision to designate speedy outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. for assignment. This move underscores the immediate value the Twins place on Jackson's experience.
In other roster news coinciding with MLB's contract tender deadline, the club secured reliever Justin Topa on a new deal for the 2026 season, avoiding a potential non-tender. This ensures a veteran presence remains in the bullpen. Meanwhile, outfielder and DH Trevor Larnach is considered the most likely candidate to be non-tendered or traded before the deadline passes.
For the Baltimore Orioles, the return is 26-year-old infielder Payton Eeles. An undrafted free agent who signed with the Twins in 2023 after playing in the independent leagues, Eeles has compiled a solid .285/.410/.417 line across three minor-league levels. He provides the Orioles with organizational infield depth without requiring a spot on their 40-man roster.
In summary, the Minnesota Twins have efficiently acquired a needed veteran catcher with power potential, giving up a minor-league asset in a move that stabilizes their roster ahead of the new season.
