Minnesota Twins Continue Offseason Reshuffle with Key Free Agent Acquisitions
On January 23, the Minnesota Twins made significant strides in their offseason roster reconstruction by securing two experienced free agents. The organization welcomed back veteran left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers on a one-year contract worth $2 million, while also adding catcher Victor Caratini through a two-year deal valued at $14 million. Both players completed their physical examinations at Target Field, finalizing agreements that signal the club's accelerated efforts to rebuild following last year's bullpen sell-off.
Taylor Rogers Returns to Minnesota for Bullpen Reinforcement
The return of Taylor Rogers represents a heartfelt reunion with the Twins franchise that originally drafted him in the 11th round back in 2012 from the University of Kentucky. The organization played a pivotal role in his development, transitioning him from a starting pitcher to a reliever before his major league debut in 2016. During his initial six-season tenure with Minnesota, Rogers established himself as a reliable bullpen arm, posting an impressive 3.15 ERA across 319 appearances. He accumulated 361 strikeouts in 314⅔ innings, eventually earning the closer role in 2019 and securing an All-Star selection in 2021.
Now 35 years old, Rogers has experienced a nomadic journey over the past four seasons, pitching for five different teams after being traded to the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2022 campaign. His subsequent stops included the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants (where he played alongside his twin brother Tyler Rogers), Cincinnati Reds in 2025, and finally the Chicago Cubs at last summer's trade deadline. Despite this constant movement, Rogers maintained consistent performance, compiling a career 3.34 ERA in 566 relief outings, with 626 strikeouts in 541⅓ innings and 83 saves to his credit.
New Twins manager Derek Shelton, who previously served as Minnesota's bench coach during Rogers' first stint with the team, expressed confidence in the veteran's ability to make an immediate impact. "The Taylor Rogers we knew in '18 and '19 is going to be different than this guy, but he's still a really good reliever," Shelton remarked. "I think he's going to have a big impact in our bullpen not only pitching-wise but with the ability to lead our group."
Victor Caratini Adds Versatility and Catching Depth
In a parallel move to address their catching situation, the Twins secured the services of Victor Caratini, a 32-year-old switch-hitter who provides valuable roster flexibility. Caratini is expected to serve as the primary backup to starting catcher Ryan Jeffers while also seeing occasional playing time at first base and designated hitter positions. During the 2025 season with the Houston Astros, Caratini demonstrated offensive productivity with a .259 batting average, while achieving career-best marks of 12 home runs, 46 runs batted in (RBI), and 386 plate appearances.
Across nine major league seasons, Caratini has maintained a .244 career batting average and will be joining his fifth different organization. Defensively, he has earned strong recognition for his ability to manage pitching staffs effectively. Among current catchers with more than 3,500 innings behind the plate, Caratini ranks eighth with an impressive catcher ERA of 3.92, highlighting his skill in working with pitchers to limit opposing offenses.
Roster Adjustments and Strategic Implications
To accommodate these two new additions on their 40-man roster, the Twins designated right-handed reliever Pierson Ohl and catcher Jhonny Pereda for assignment or release. These moves underscore Minnesota's strategic approach to addressing specific weaknesses identified during their offseason evaluation.
With Rogers bringing stability and experience to a retooled bullpen, and Caratini providing reliable catching depth and defensive expertise, the Twins have clearly signaled their intentions to create a more balanced and competitive roster for the upcoming season. These acquisitions represent calculated steps toward shoring up vulnerable areas while adding veteran leadership that could prove invaluable during the grueling MLB campaign.
