The Minnesota Twins made a couple of veteran moves to steady their roster before the new season. They brought back a bullpen arm fans know well and picked up an experienced switch-hitting catcher.
The bullpen’s in flux, and catching depth isn’t exactly easy to find. These signings show the front office wants leadership, versatility, and guys who’ve already proven themselves.
Twins Bring Taylor Rogers Back Home
Reunions hit different, don’t they? The Twins pulled one off by signing Taylor Rogers to a one-year, $2 million contract.
After a clean physical at Target Field, Rogers is back with the club that drafted and developed him. It’s a move that feels both practical and just a little bit sentimental.
A Proven Track Record in Minnesota
Rogers made his name as a Twin, putting up a 3.15 ERA over 319 appearances in his first six seasons. He became the closer in 2019 and even snagged an All-Star nod in 2021.
Across his career, the lefty has a 3.34 ERA in 566 relief outings, with 626 strikeouts and 83 saves. The Twins are banking on his steadiness as they rebuild the bullpen.
Journeyman Experience Adds Leadership
Since leaving Minnesota, Rogers bounced around—five teams in four years, including the Giants, Reds, and Cubs. Trades and new cities have kept him on his toes.
Manager Derek Shelton pointed out that Rogers brings more than numbers. The guy’s seen a lot and should help guide a bullpen that’s changed a ton since last year.
A Bullpen in Transition
Why the rush to bring Rogers back? Well, just look at all the bullpen turnover. Minnesota traded away five top relievers late last year, and that’s a massive shakeup.
Key Departures Create Opportunity
The Twins said goodbye to:
That’s a lot of late-inning experience out the door. Rogers now joins Cole Sands, Justin Topa, and Kody Funderburk as the team tries to settle things down.
Victor Caratini Strengthens Catching Depth
On the other side, the Twins added Victor Caratini on a two-year, $14 million deal. The 32-year-old switch-hitter comes in after a solid 2025 season with the Astros.
Offensive Upside and Defensive Reliability
Caratini batted .259 last year, setting career highs in homers (12), RBIs (46), and plate appearances (386). He should fit well with Ryan Jeffers, bringing some pop without giving up much on defense.
He’s ranked eighth among active catchers (minimum 3,500 innings) with a catcher ERA of 3.92. Plus, he can play first base or fill in as a designated hitter if that’s what the team needs.
Roster Moves Finalize the Deals
The Twins needed to make space on the 40-man roster. They designated right-hander Pierson Ohl and catcher Jhonny Pereda for release or assignment.
Honestly, those moves sting a bit, but there wasn’t really a way around it. The team had to clear room for two veterans who should help right away.
Here is the source article for this story: Twins sign left-hander Rogers, catcher Caratini
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