The Minnesota Twins have struck a two-year agreement with catcher Victor Caratini, valued at $14 million. This development was reported by Robert Murray of FanSided, with further confirmation from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. As the Twins already maintain a complete 40-man roster, they will need to make a corresponding move to finalize this deal.
Victor Caratini’s Career Highlights
At 32 years old, Caratini has built a respectable career in Major League Baseball. He became a free agent two years ago and subsequently signed a two-year contract worth $12 million with the Houston Astros. During his tenure with the Astros, Caratini appeared in 201 games, accumulating a total of 660 plate appearances.
Performance Stats
- Home Runs: 20
- Strikeout Rate: 17.9%
- Walk Rate: 7%
- Batting Average: .263
- On-Base Percentage: .329
- Slugging Percentage: .406
- wRC+: 108
Despite a lower-than-average walk rate, Caratini managed a strong offensive performance during his time in Houston. His overall hitting ability contributed to a wRC+ of 108, indicating he was slightly better than league average offensively.
Defensive Skills and Grading
Defensively, Caratini’s performance has received mixed evaluations. Various metrics, such as FanGraphs and Statcast, acknowledge his solid framing abilities. However, assessments of his performance against the running game have been less favorable. Conversely, he received praise for his blocking skills from multiple sources, including Baseball Prospectus.
Overall Contribution
Caratini’s overall value stands at 2.7 wins above replacement (WAR) over the last two seasons, based on FanGraphs’ calculations. This forecasted value aligns closely with MLB Trade Rumors’ earlier prediction of a similar $14 million contract for Caratini over the next two years.
With this agreement, the Twins aim to strengthen their roster while adding a versatile player behind the plate. More updates on the situation are anticipated as the season approaches.
