Phillies interested in Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers as J.T. Realmuto replacement
Twins president Derek Falvey believes the Twins have the talent to make a postseason run in 2026. There were near-constant trade rumors regarding Minnesota's star players, such as Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton, earlier in the offseason, but they have cooled down since Falvey shut down the rumors and added first basemen Josh Bell and Eric Wagaman and righty reliever Eric Orze. However, a new trade rumor regarding catcher Ryan Jeffers has recently emerged.
The Philadelphia Phillies are interested in trading for Jeffers, according to The Athletic's (subscription required) Matt Gelb.
The Phillies have explored contingencies because pitchers and catchers report to Florida in five weeks. It would be ideal to have a starting catcher report. The Phillies have talked trades for catchers, young and old; Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers is one potential target, league sources told The Athletic. But the closer everyone gets to camps opening, the more reluctant teams are to trade away a catcher.
Twins would be making huge mistake if they traded Jeffers to Phillies
Of course, if the Phillies offered the Twins an offer they cannot refuse for Jeffers, Falvey would probably take it. But if the Phillies offered a package of minor leaguers considered equal in value to Jeffers, Falvey should turn them down.
In fact, the Twins should extend Jeffers. Alex Jackson likely will be a great backup, but he probably isn't starting catcher material. And while the Twins have several promising catching prospects, such as Eduardo Tait and Enrique Jimenez, they most likely won't be MLB-ready for at least two more seasons. Extending Jeffers, who has posted an OPS+ over 100 in each of the last three seasons, would ensure Minnesota is set at catcher, a position that lacks offensive talent.
Even if the Twins won't extend Jeffers, why trade him and not the other team's stars? If Falvey really believes the Twins can make the playoffs in 2026, dealing Jeffers would be a poor decision. Even though he has declined defensively over the past couple of seasons, the newly implemented ABS challenge system should make his regression behind the plate less noticeable, and his bat is among the best at the position.
If the Twins have no plans to extend Jeffers, and the team is in seller's mode at the trade deadline, then they should trade him. But for now, they should keep him.