You're probably looking for a box score because, in your head, there's always baseball somewhere. But here is the cold, hard reality: it’s January 17, 2026. If you look out a window in Minneapolis today, you aren't seeing a diamond. You're seeing a snowbank. There is no Minnesota Twins box score today because we are deep in the "hot stove" season, about a month away from anyone even throwing a meaningful bullpen session in Fort Myers.
Honestly, the "score" right now isn't measured in runs. It's measured in transactions.
Just yesterday, January 16, the Twins made a pretty significant splash to address their catching depth. They signed Victor Caratini to a two-year, $14 million deal. If you're counting, that makes him the fourth catcher on the 40-man roster. It's a move that basically says the front office wants a veteran safety net behind Ryan Jeffers, especially with Christian Vazquez gone. Caratini isn't going to win an MVP, but he’s a contact-first guy who posted a career-best .259/.324/.404 slash line last year with the Astros.
The "Box Score" of the Offseason Moves
Since we don't have a game to recap, let's look at how the roster is actually scoring points this winter.
The front office has been busy. Just a few days ago, on January 14, they claimed Vidal Bruján off waivers from the Braves. To make room, they had to cut ties with Mickey Gasper. Bruján is one of those "post-hype" prospects. He was a Top 100 guy back in 2022 but hasn't quite found his rhythm in the bigs yet. The Twins love his versatility though. He can play second, short, third, and the outfield. Basically, he’s the new Swiss Army knife for a bench that looked a little thin after a disappointing 70-92 finish in 2025.
Key Salary Figures (Arbitration Settled)
On January 9, the Twins cleared a huge hurdle by avoiding arbitration with several core players. This is where the real money gets moved.
- Ryan Jeffers: Settled at $6.7 million. He is the undisputed No. 1 catcher now.
- Trevor Larnach: Reached a deal at $4.475 million.
- Royce Lewis: Settled at $2.85 million.
That Royce Lewis number feels like a steal, doesn't it? He’s the engine of this team. When he’s healthy, the Twins look like contenders. When he's not—well, we saw what happened last year. He played a career-high 106 games in 2025, but the batting average dipped to .237. The team needs the 2023 version of Lewis to show up this spring if they want to escape the basement of the AL Central.
Why the Wait for the 2026 Season Matters
The 2026 season is going to be weird. Not "bad" weird, just different. For starters, the regular season starts incredibly early. We’re talking March 26, 2026. That is the earliest traditional Opening Day in the history of Major League Baseball.
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The Twins will be opening on the road, but the real date fans have circled is April 3, 2026. That’s the home opener at Target Field. Between now and then, the team has to figure out a first base situation that looks like a total toss-up. They’ve got Josh Bell on a one-year deal, but they also traded for Eric Wagaman from Miami. Wagaman is an interesting flyer—a guy who put up decent numbers for the Marlins last year and could benefit from the hitting environment in the Twin Cities.
"The Twins need Royce Lewis more than ever in 2026. He's the key to winning back a fan base that has nothing to grab onto right now." — Local sports analysts are sounding the alarm on the lack of fan engagement after a rough 2025.
What to Watch for in the Next 30 Days
If you're itching for a real box score, you only have to wait about a month.
Pitchers and catchers report to the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers on February 11, 2026. That’s 25 days from today. The first actual game action—where you’ll see an actual Minnesota Twins box score—happens on February 20, 2026. It's an exhibition game against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Until then, the "score" is all about Derek Falvey and the front office trying to fix a bullpen that was, quite frankly, a disaster last year. They’ve signed some minor league flyers like Andrew Bash and Sebastian Echavarria, but they haven't landed that high-leverage arm the fans are screaming for on social media.
Practical Steps for Twins Fans Right Now
- Check the 40-man roster: With the Bruján claim and Caratini signing, it’s currently full. Any more "big" moves will require someone being designated for assignment.
- Plan your Spring Training trip: If you're heading to Florida, the schedule is already out. Games start Feb 20.
- Watch the waiver wire: The Twins have been very active in claiming players (like Bruján) as other teams trim their rosters for spring.
The baseball season is a marathon, but the winter is a game of chess. Right now, the Twins are just trying to make sure they have enough pieces on the board to compete with Cleveland and Detroit once the snow finally melts.
The next time you search for a box score, hopefully, it's because Royce Lewis just hit a grand slam in the Grapefruit League.
Next Actionable Step: Review the current 40-man roster to see who might be the next player designated for assignment if the Twins make one more free-agent signing before February.