Ryan Jeffers will be a free agent this offseason unless he surprisingly accepts a qualifying offer. The Twins could be in the running for Jeffers, but he will most likely sign elsewhere because Minnesota has top catching prospect Vahn Lackey in the minors, and Jeffers will likely be expensive and want a three- or four-year deal.
Minnesota still needs to add another catcher this offseason, as Victor Caratini will be the team's only backstop on the 40-man roster and Lackey, the 2026 No. 3 overall pick, isn't ready for the majors quite yet. Still, the team likely won't want to spend much money on Jeffers for several years with Lackey in the system. Minnesota should look to add a catcher on a one- or two-year contract.
Jeffers will arguably be the top catcher on the free-agent market. In 92 games this year, Jeffers posted 2.6 fWAR and a 128 wRC+.
If the Twins don't bring back Jeffers, where will he sign?
3 teams that could sign Ryan Jeffers this offseason
New York Yankees
The Yankees were interested in Jeffers at the trade deadline, but the Twins ultimately decided to keep him, and the Yankees decided not to upgrade at catcher and kept rolling with Austin Wells as the starting backstop. Wells followed a poor 2025 season at the plate with an even worse 2026 season, so the Yankees should be looking to acquire another catcher this offseason, making Jeffers a good fit for the club.
It's worth noting that if Jeffers gets the qualifying offer, he will cost the team that signs him draft compensation. Joel Sherman of the New York Post recently wrote that he believes the Yankees wouldn't go after Jeffers if he receives a QO. Still, the Yankees could surprise Sherman and others by signing the catcher.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs' primary catcher, Carson Kelly, will be a free agent this offseason, so they will likely look to acquire a catcher this offseason unless they plan to use Miguel Amaya as the full-time backstop.
The Cubs showed their willingness to spend big by signing Alex Bregman to a 5-year, $175 million contract last offseason.
Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are slated to be free agents this offseason, meaning the front office will likely look to add offensive reinforcements. If the Cubs are interested in his services, Jeffers and Amaya could split time at catcher and DH.
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