The Minnesota Twins acquired catcher Alex Jackson from the Baltimore Orioles for minor-league infielder Payton Eeles.
The Twins quietly bolstered their catching depth on November 21, 2025, by acquiring catcher Alex Jackson from the Orioles in exchange for minor-league infielder Payton Eeles.
The move addresses a key back-stop position behind starter Ryan Jeffers and gives Minnesota a low-cost option with upside if needed.
Jackson, a former No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 draft, enters the deal with a complicated profile. In six MLB seasons, he owns a career slash line of .153/.239/.288.
The Orioles have acquired minor league INF Payton Eeles from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for C Alex Jackson.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 39 players.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) November 21, 2025
Yet in Triple-A, he’s shown pop — over 313 career Triple-A games, he’s slugged .517. In 2025, with Baltimore, he posted a .220/.290/.473 line in 100 plate appearances, including 5 home runs.
For the Twins, this is about roster flexibility and the ability to deploy Jeffers as the primary catcher while Jackson serves as a credible alternative.
With the 40-man roster currently full, Minnesota may see Jackson as insurance, useful in case of injury, a trade, or a shift in plans.
What this signals for both clubs
For Minnesota: The acquisition gives the Twins a right-handed bat behind the plate with demonstrated slugging potential at the Triple-A level. While the MLB numbers don’t leap off the page, Jackson’s minor-league power and experience make him a low-risk investment.
Alex Jackson vs LHP in AAA since 2023
.267/.353/.590 | .943 OPS
.397 wOBA | .399 xwOBA
51.2 HH% | 18.3 Barrel%
19.3 K% | 11.8 BB%Yeah platoon me up folks pic.twitter.com/qJtJxZ1WI0
— . (@HalToHell) December 21, 2024
Minnesota can carry him as a third catcher or rotate him in for days off for Jeffers. His 29 % caught-stealing rate remains in line with recent rule-change norms for catchers. If Jackson can translate even modestly into the majors (say, hitting .230 with 10 home runs over a partial season), the Twins gain a meaningful asset.
For Baltimore: By trading Jackson before the tender deadline, the Orioles converted a potentially expendable roster spot into a prospect (Eeles) and reduced their depth at catcher, knowing they are committed to Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo. Jackson was “somewhat expendable” given this depth chart reality.
The move also signals Baltimore’s confidence in its catching tandem and its willingness to optimize roster spots for future flexibility.
Payton Eeles did it all this week…from home runs to bunt singles to highlight reel defense and stolen bases🔋
His final line:
10-25, 7 BBs to 4 Ks, HR, 2B, 3 SB .400/.545/.560 (1.105 OPS)#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/uQBzQZB3zr
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) August 18, 2025
In sum, this trade may fly under the radar, but it’s a textbook transaction: a club (Minnesota) acquiring a low-cost option with upside behind a starter, and a club (Baltimore) clearing space and aligning resources around its core players.
Only time will tell if Jackson can take the step necessary to make a significant major-league impact, but for now, both clubs appear to have achieved their immediate objectives.
