IMAGE: Houston Astros first baseman Victor Caratini (17) is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. / William Liang / Imagn Images
The Houston Astros entered this offseason with one clear goal near the top of their list: bring back Victor Caratini. And on paper, that made a lot of sense.
Caratini was more than just a backup catcher – he was a versatile, switch-hitting safety net who could slot in at DH when the matchup called for it. But as the winter progresses, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a reunion might not be as simple as the Astros hoped.
Let’s start with the big picture: Houston is trimming payroll. That’s not speculation – it’s reality.
The club has already moved on from Framber Valdez, and the budget signals they’re not planning to be players for any of the big-ticket free agents this offseason. So while Caratini remains a fit, financially and roster-wise, the Astros may need the market to come back to them before they can make a move.
That’s where things get tricky. Caratini isn’t just valuable to Houston – he’s valuable to just about every team in baseball.
In a thin free-agent catching market, where J.T. Realmuto headlines the class and the rest are mostly aging backups, Caratini stands out.
He’s not a star, but he’s a steady, reliable presence behind the plate – and that’s a commodity.
One team that could swoop in and complicate things? The Texas Rangers.
Yes, the Astros’ own division rival. According to reports, the Rangers may not be in the Realmuto sweepstakes either, but they’re still in the market for a catcher – and Caratini fits the mold.
After non-tendering Jonah Heim last month, Texas has a clear opening for a starting backstop. That’s a selling point Houston can’t match, with Yainer Diaz already in place as the likely starter unless something changes.
Playing time matters, especially for a veteran like Caratini who’s proven he can handle the load. If the Rangers are offering him a legitimate shot at starting every day, and Houston’s offer is more of a part-time gig with a tighter budget, it’s not hard to see which situation might be more appealing.
If Caratini does land elsewhere, the Astros may have to look internally for answers. That likely means a bigger role for Cesar Salazar, who’s already been in the system and could step into the backup role behind Diaz. It’s not an ideal scenario for a team with championship aspirations, but it might be the most realistic one given the financial constraints.
Bottom line: the Astros still want Caratini back. But unless the market cools or the budget opens up, they may have to watch him walk – potentially right into the clubhouse of a division rival.
