Twins ‘engaged’ in talks with catcher Ryan Jeffers

Nick Wosika/Imagn Images By Betsy Helfand / St. Paul Pioneer Press Today at 4:15 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? LAS VEGAS — Ryan Jeffers has until next Tuesday to officially decide if he wants to accept the qualifying offer the Minnesota Twins extended to him, which would make him the highest-paid catcher in the game, or decline it. But while it is likely that he will decline the offer, a one-year, $23.15 million deal for the 2027 season, the Twins have made it clear that they are interested in a reunion with the 29-year-old catcher regardless. ADVERTISEMENT The Twins have “engaged” Jeffers’ representatives, general manager Jeremy Zoll said this week at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, about bringing him back no matter what happens with the qualifying offer. “We’re in touch there. We have made clear that we’d love to have him back, not just in a QO scenario, but in other scenarios, too,” Zoll said. “You have to work through that process, but that’s ongoing and doesn’t need to wait until the 17th.” While the qualifying offer represents more than he is expected to make on a per-year basis, Jeffers is likely to turn it down in search of a longer-term deal. If he does turn it down, he would be the top catcher on the market. ESPN has projected him to earn $51 million across three years, and MLB Trade Rumors estimated $75 million over four years. Well regarded for his offense, Jeffers is coming off one of his strongest seasons at the plate. He seemed as if he could be on track to become an All-Star for the first time before a hamate bone injury in May forced him off the field for nearly two months. He finished the year hitting .256/.353/.461 with a .814 OPS, 14 home runs and 56 runs batted in and a 127 OPS+. “A right-handed bat at catcher, it’s kind of a constellation of talent,” his agent, Scott Boras, said Wednesday. “It’s something that pretty much creates a star skill market for players at that position. MORE MINNESOTA TWINS COVERAGE: Offseason quiet early, but Twins could soon be active 22h ago Twins extend qualifying offer to catcher Ryan Jeffers Nov 2 What will the Twins’ payroll look like next season? Nov 2 “A lot of teams are going, ‘Oh, Ryan is certainly something that will put more championship notches in my belt.’ ” ADVERTISEMENT Though he was the subject of trade rumors in July, the Twins opted to hang on to Jeffers while they tried to make a run at the playoffs with the knowledge that they could make him the qualifying offer and recoup value that way. If Jeffers rejects the qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, the Twins will receive draft pick compensation. “We felt clear on that decision,” Zoll said of giving Jeffers a qualifying offer. “By the end of the year, knowing what he brings from an offensive perspective and can do it at the catcher position, knowing that when you’re looking at the qualifying offer as a one-year commitment, we felt like there was plenty of value to that.” While Zoll said the Twins are staying in touch with Jeffers’ representatives, he noted it still feels like they’re “on the front end,” of things. While the Twins have what Zoll described as “genuine interest in a reunion,” they’re also working through potential alternatives in the event that Jeffers does sign elsewhere. The Twins signed Victor Caratini to a two-year deal ahead of last season and still have one year remaining on his deal. Vahn Lackey, their top pick in the 2026 draft, is in the farm system but finished last season at Class-A Advanced Cedar Rapids. So, should Jeffers leave, the Twins will need to figure out the other half of their catching tandem this winter. As such, they are engaging in talks on other options. “I think it’s pretty easy to be candid and truthful with various agents that are representing other catchers of, like, ‘We’re working through RJ. We don’t know how it’s going to go. And in turn, if it doesn’t go our way, we’re going to need another catcher. So want to be in touch on that. But we’ll let you know when we hear more on that front,’ ” Zoll said. Text Example ____________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? 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