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Former MLB GM's Ryan Jeffers contract prediction would be great news for Twins

Jim Bowden predicted Ryan Jeffers' next contract.
ByJackson Kruse
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Sep 16, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) prepares for the first pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Sep 16, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) prepares for the first pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Former MLB general manager and current insider for The Athletic JimBowdenwrote an article with contract predictions for the top 40 free agents of the 2026-27 offseason. He ranked Jeffers No. 32 and gave him a surprising contract projection.

Bowden predicts Jeffers will sign a two-year, $15.5 million contract this offseason. The former GM listed the Twins, New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds as the best team fits for the long-time Minnesota catcher.

If Bowden is right about the market for Jeffers, it would be amazing news for the Twins. If Minnesota believes it can get Jeffers for just two years at that price, the organization shouldn't extend him the $23.15 million qualifying offer and should do everything it can to bring the catcher back.

Jim Bowden's Ryan Jeffers contract prediction is surprisingly low

However, while Bowden has plenty of experience working and covering MLB, he probably missed the mark on his Jeffers contract prediction. Jeffers is clearly the best available catcher on the market. My best guess is he signs a three-year deal for around $45 million.

One of the salary comps Bowden listed for Jeffers is Minnesota catcher Victor Caratini, who signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Twins last offseason. It's hard to imagine Jeffers, who posted a 128 wRC+ and 2.6 fWAR over 92 games in 2026, receiving a contract similar to Caratini's. Before signing with the Twins, Caratini posted 2.9 fWAR with the Houston Astros from 2024-25.

All signs point to Caratini starting at catcher next year, and then Minnesota can hand the starting catching duties to Vahn Lackey in 2028. Caratini is coming off a rough season, posting 0.7 fWAR and a 79 wRC+ in 106 games, but with Lackey in the system, it's hard to imagine Minnesota would sign a catcher to a multi-year contract this offseason. But if they can get Jeffers for just two years for less than $16 million, as Bowden predicts, the Twins should undoubtedly bring back the fan favorite.

If Jeffers and his agent believe the catcher's market is what Bowden projects, Jeffers should obviously accept a qualifying offer if the Twins extend one, as it would be significantly higher than Bowden's two-year projection.

Jeffers will likely earn far more than his projection if he hits the free-agent market, but it's still fun to speculate that the Twins could bring him back for the next two years.

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