3 Twins offseason moves that already look brilliant
Signing DH/1B Josh Bell
The Twins signed Bell to a one-year, $7 million contract this past offseason. Since Bell was worth just 0.5 bWAR as a poor defensive first baseman last season for the Washington Nationals, the signing didn't seem that exciting at the time.
However, Bell has already posted the same amount of bWAR in just 17 games this year as last season while slashing .268/.382/.518 (155 OPS+) with three home runs, five doubles and 14 RBI. He's been the Twins' primary designated hitter this year, playing in just four of his 17 games at first base.
Signing C/1B Victor Caratini
The Twins signed Caratini to a two-year, $14 million deal this past offseason. He's started six of the Twins' 17 games at catcher, seven at first base and one at designated hitter.
Caratini has been solid offensively this year, hitting .271/.373/.354 (109 OPS+) with eight RBI. The former Astro hit his first home run as a Twin off 2025 AL Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet at Target Field last night.
The Twins put up 11 runs off reigning AL Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet in 1 2/3 innings 😱 pic.twitter.com/SAtZjXEMY2
— Puckett's Pond (@PuckettsPond) April 14, 2026
Although he's been below-average at throwing out runners and framing pitches, Caratini has posted two Blocks Above Average (92nd percentile) thus far in 2026. He's also won eight of 10 ABS challenges behind the plate. As far as his first base defense goes, he's been serviceable but not amazing.
Having a backup catcher who is an elite blocker, among the best at utilizing the ABS Challenge System, an above-average hitter and capable of playing first base is extremely valuable.
Trading for UTL Tristan Gray
Gray's strong start this season has been a great story. Gray, a 30-year-old journeyman who contemplated retirement last month, is hitting an outstanding .273/.346/.591 (163 OPS+) with two homers, a double and 11 RBI in 27 plate appearances over eight games this season. One of his homers was a grand slam, and the other was a three-run shot off future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer.
Tristan Gray punishes one! Twins rocked Max Scherzer on the day he was going for his 3,500th strikeout pic.twitter.com/Ro92jBqHLd
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 12, 2026
Gray, whom the Twins acquired from the Boston Red Sox this past offseason, has logged innings at third base and shortstop this year. With Royce Lewis sidelined with a knee sprain, Gray is getting an opportunity to be in the lineup against righties regularly.
1 Twins offseason move that doesn't look great so far
Trading for LHP Anthony Banda
When the Twins acquired Banda from the Los Angeles Dodgers, I, and many others, thought it was a genius move by Minnesota's brass. Unfortunately, the lefty has struggled significantly with the Twins this year, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits and two walks in 7 2/3 innings.
Banda posted a 3.08 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 18 walks in 49 1/3 innings with the Dodgers in 2024, and allowed just one run with 11 strikeouts across eight innings during the 2024 postseason, helping the Dodgers win their first World Series since 2020.
Banda had another solid season with the Dodgers in 2025, pitching to a 3.18 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 65 innings. However, despite his good results, he walked 34 batters and had a 4.52 FIP. He struggled during the 2025 World Series as well, allowing six earned runs in three innings across four games.
Hopefully, Banda turns things around soon. It's still extremely early in the season, so he certainly deserves patience from Twins leadership and fans.
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