The New York Post's Joel Sherman linked the New York Yankees to beloved Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, stating, "Jeffers fits the Yankees perfectly, and I am sure they will be after him." Other than a division rival, the Yankees are the last team Twins fans would want to see their team's long-tenured catcher be traded to. Twins Territory views the Yankees as the Twins' out-of-division nemesis, as Minnesota has a 53-118 record vs. New York since 2000.
Unfortunately, Sherman may be right that the Yankees will pursue a Jeffers trade this summer. New York's starting catcher, switch-hitter Austin Wells, has been abysmal at the plate this season, slashing .180/.308/.280 with a 70 wRC+. Wells has been great behind the plate this year, but New York would likely prefer a catcher who can produce more offensively.
Ryan Jeffers with an absolute moonshot
— Nick (@nick5875) May 13, 2026
Yankees will be all over him at the trade deadline pic.twitter.com/7n4Nyci0wy
Jeffers has been one of best-hitting catchers in MLB this season
Jeffers has been the best-hitting catcher in MLB this year besides the Athletics' Shea Langeliers. Among catchers with at least 120 plate appearances, Jeffers ranks first in on-base percentage (.406), and second in wRC+ (164), batting average (.299) and slugging percentage (.542). The Twins' backstop has also produced the third-highest fWAR (1.4) among catchers behind Langeliers (2.4) and the Atlanta Braves' Drake Baldwin (1.7). If the Twins are sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, the team will likely shop Jeffers, who is set to be a free agent at the conclusion of this season. The Yankees will certainly be interested in Minnesota's backstop if Wells' offensive struggles continue.
Even if the Twins are sellers this summer, the team should offer Jeffers a contract extension. While Minnesota could receive a solid haul for Jeffers, especially if he continues his offensive tear, keeping the catcher in Minnesota for at least a few more years would be in the Twins' best interest. The team has a promising catching prospect in Eduardo Tait, but he likely won't be ready to make his MLB debut for at least two more seasons. Catchers who can hit like Jeffers aren't easy to come by.
Not to mention, Jeffers has been very solid defensively this season. He hasn't been great at controlling the running game or blocking, but he's been a decent framer and one of the best pitch-challengers in baseball.
In the event that the Twins do shop Jeffers this summer, let's just hope the team doesn't trade him to the Yankees. If Jeffers were traded to any other team (besides a division rival), Twins fans would at least be able to root for him for the rest of the season. But if the Twins deal him to the Yankees, much of Twins Territory would have a tough time cheering him on.
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