The Minnesota Twins have made strategic moves to strengthen their roster, officially signing veteran left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers and catcher Victor Caratini in a dual announcement on Friday. This marks a homecoming for Rogers, who returns to the team that originally drafted him, as part of a broader effort to revamp the bullpen following last season's trades of key relievers.
Taylor Rogers Returns to Minnesota
Taylor Rogers has inked a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Twins, bringing him back to his original MLB team. The 35-year-old reliever, who underwent a physical at Target Field to finalize the deal, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record. Over his first six seasons with the Twins, Rogers posted a solid 3.15 ERA in 319 appearances, striking out 361 batters in 314 2/3 innings. His standout performance in 2019, when he transitioned to a closer role, earned him an All-Star selection in 2021.
A Journey Through Multiple Teams
In the past four years, Rogers has been a journeyman, pitching for five different teams. After being traded to the San Diego Padres before the 2022 season, he moved to the Milwaukee Brewers, then joined the San Francisco Giants in 2023 to play alongside his twin brother, Tyler Rogers. Subsequent trades sent him to the Cincinnati Reds in 2025 and the Chicago Cubs last summer. Despite these moves, Rogers has maintained a career ERA of 3.34 in 566 relief appearances, with 626 strikeouts in 541 1/3 innings and 83 saves.
Leadership and Impact
New Twins manager Derek Shelton, who previously served as bench coach during Rogers' initial stint with the club, expressed confidence in the veteran's abilities. "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 and 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," Shelton remarked. Rogers, originally drafted as a starter in 2012, was converted to relief just before his MLB debut in 2016, showcasing his adaptability.
Bullpen Revamp and Team Needs
The Twins' bullpen underwent significant changes last season, with the team trading their top five relievers: Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Brock Stewart, and Danny Coulombe. Rogers is expected to join holdovers Cole Sands, Justin Topa, and Kody Funderburk, addressing what general manager Jeremy Zoll identified as a critical area of need. "It's the most obvious area of need coming into the offseason, something we feel like 'Rog' is a step in that direction, but help in that regard is going to come in all shapes and sizes," Zoll stated ahead of the team's fan festival.
Victor Caratini Joins as Catcher
In addition to Rogers, the Twins have secured catcher Victor Caratini with a two-year, $14 million contract. The 32-year-old switch-hitter, who also passed his physical at Target Field, brings versatility to the lineup, capable of playing first base and designated hitter while backing up catcher Ryan Jeffers. In his second season with the Houston Astros in 2025, Caratini hit .259 with career highs of 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 386 plate appearances.
Caratini's Career and Defensive Prowess
Over nine MLB seasons, Caratini has maintained a .244 batting average, and the Twins will be his fifth team. Defensively, he ranks among the top catchers in baseball, with a catcher ERA of 3.92 that places him eighth best among active catchers with at least 3,500 innings behind the plate. This signing adds depth and experience to the Twins' catching corps.
Roster Adjustments
To accommodate the new signings, the Twins have made roster moves, designating right-handed reliever Pierson Ohl and catcher Jhonny Pereda for release or assignment. This clears space on the 40-man roster for Rogers and Caratini, underscoring the team's commitment to reshaping its lineup for the upcoming season.
These signings highlight the Twins' proactive approach in the offseason, aiming to blend veteran leadership with strategic acquisitions to compete effectively in the MLB. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how these moves translate into on-field performance as the team prepares for the new campaign.
