The Minnesota Twins' ongoing roster maneuvering this offseason has produced another small but unsurprising outcome: Mickey Gasper was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals, according to Aaron Gleeman's post on X. Gasper was DFA'd earlier this month to clear space on the 40-man roster when the Twins acquired Vidal Bruján off waivers from the Braves.
Gasper, perhaps best known for his epic mustache, was never a major contributor with the Twins last season. Yes, he had several bright moments, but ultimately slashed .158/.257/.232 in 45 games with Minnesota. Still, his departure underscores a familiar reality of offseason roster building: depth players can be squeezed out quickly when a team needs to create space. His value was primarily tied to versatility in the field. Gasper was able to provide coverage behind the plate and at first base, as well as a couple of stints in the outfield. His presence gave the Twins another option in the system in the event of injury or roster needs as the season progressed. But roster space is finite, and the Twins clearly felt that the spot was better used by Bruján. It is a business, after all.
Former Twin Mickey Gasper Claimed Off Waivers By Nationals
This decision becomes clearer when viewed through the context of the Twins' shifting catching situation. Minnesota recently acquired Victor Caratini, a veteran who brings a steadier, more established profile than Gasper, especially important with the departure of Christian Vasquez. Caratini's addition doesn't guarantee anything about how the Twins will structure their roster long-term, but it does give them a more dependable major league option behind the plate and reduces the urgency to keep fringe depth on the 40-man roster - and just in time considering the rumors that are currently swirling.
The Twins continue to face uncertainty around Ryan Jeffers, who has been the recent subject of ongoing trade speculation. At this point, nothing is confirmed regarding an impending trade, and baseball fans everywhere know that rumors often outpace reality. While the whole of Twins Territory knows they should NOT trade him, Jeffers holds real value. He is catching well in a premium position and holds his own at the plate. Teams rarely ignore this kind of opportunity if the return fits what their club needs.
If Jeffers were to be moved, it would completely reshape the Twins' depth chart at catcher, placing much more pressure on those behind him. In that context, the Gasper loss would seem more important, but it still doesn't qualify as a significant loss to the club. He was not expected to be an everyday solution, and his departure does not change Minnesota's outlook in any dramatic way. It does, however, remove one fallback option should Jeffers be traded elsewhere.
For Washington, the Gasper pickup is a low-risk acquisition. Waiver claims are about adding functional depth, and Gasper's ability to play multiple positions will do that for any team looking to build out their roster. For Minnesota, the bigger takeaway isn't Gasper himself - it's what the move represents. The Twins are still actively shaping their 2026 roster, and the catching position remains one of the more fluid areas to watch. Adding Caratini adds stability, but they still need bullpen help, and any potential Jeffers developments would likely hinge on that need. Keep your eyes open, people.