2 Minnesota Twins players not making the Opening Day roster

2 Minnesota Twins players not making the Opening Day roster

C Alex Jackson

When the Twins traded popular minor leaguer Payton Eeles to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for catcher Alex JacksonIt seemed like Jackson would be Minnesota’s backup catcher for the 2026 season, especially since he’s out of minor league options and the Twins agreed to pay him $1.35 million this year.

But then Minnesota unexpectedly signed catcher/first baseman Victor Caratini to a two-year contract worth $14 million, Minnesota’s biggest free agent signing since Carlos Correa in 2023.

It seems unlikely the Twins will want to use three roster spots on catchers, even with their $1.35 million deal with Jackson, who hit .220/.290/.473 (111 OPS+) with five home runs and eight RBI in 100 MLB plate appearances last season. The Twins may already be looking to trade Jackson to a team looking for a backup catcher. If the Twins can’t find a taker for Jackson and don’t want three catchers on their 26-man roster, they will have to designate the former Oriole for assignment. Hopefully Jackson will be cleared off waivers if that happens, and Minnesota can put him in the minors to start the regular season. Unfortunately, that’s unlikely. But if another team were to claim him, at least Minnesota wouldn’t have to be on the hook for his $1.35 million salary.

BY Alan Roden

Roden, who Minnesota acquired along with left-hander Kendry Rojas from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-hander Louis Varland and first baseman Ty France last summer, has been on a tear this spring after going 3-for-4 with a grand slam and two walks. Unfortunately for the former Blue Jay, he still likely won’t make the Opening Day roster.

Unless the Twins decide to have Emmanuel Rodríguez on their Opening Day roster, which may be the right move but is still unlikely, Roden and James Outman will likely compete for a spot on a 26-man roster.

Roden may have a higher offensive ceiling than Outman at this point in their career, but Outman still has a better chance of cracking Minnesota’s Opening Day roster. Outman is out of minor league options, while Roden could be sent to Triple-A St. Paul without being placed via waivers. Additionally, Outman is a stronger defender than Roden and was once a Rookie of the Year finalist, giving the former Dodger an edge over the former Blue Jay. Outman got plenty of reps in center field this spring, while Roden played only left field, making Outman a more versatile defender.

Roden will most likely still be on the 26-man roster at some point in the 2026 season, but probably not on Opening Day.