Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is slated to be a free agent after the World Series. Minnesota might extend him a qualifying offer, but Jeffers would likely turn it down to test free agency. Jeffers recently said that he would be willing to re-sign with the Twins, but he plans to test free agency.
“I’ve worked too hard to corner myself into one team or two teams,” Jeffers said Sunday (via Dan Hayes of The Athletic). “I love the idea of a reunion. I also love the idea of going out there and seeing what else is out there.”
Jeffers will clearly be the top available catcher on the free agent market. The backstop slashed .256/.353/.461 (128 wRC+) with 14 home runs over 92 games this season. He missed two months after a hamate bone fracture and regressed in the second half, but he should still get a nice payday this winter unless the looming lockout impacts his free agent market.
Jeffers, 29, has spent his entire career with the Twins. Since 2020, Jeffers has posted 10.9 fWAR and a .242/.327/.461 (111 wRC+) slash line with 82 home runs and 279 RBI over 607 games.
Keeping Jeffers would undoubtedly make the Twins a better team. Catchers who hit as well as Jeffers aren't easy to come by.
Will Ryan Jeffers return to the Twins in 2027?
Unless Jeffers unexpectedly accepts a QO, he will be looking to sign a multi-year contract this offseason. Once the offseason begins, Victor Caratini will be the team's only catcher on the 40-man roster. Minnesota will need to add a catcher this winter. Therefore, it appears re-signing Jeffers makes sense for the Twins.
However, the Twins might be better off allocating payroll to other areas of the roster, as Minnesota has a highly regarded catching prospect, Vahn Lackey, in the minor leagues. Realistically, Lackey won't be ready to make his MLB debut until 2028. The best-case scenario for the Twins is probably that Jeffers stays with the team for one more year by accepting the QO. Unfortunately, that's unlikely. And with Lackey in the organization, the Twins might be hesitant to sign Jeffers for a multi-year contract.
If the Twins re-signed Jeffers to a multi-year deal, fans should be happy. It would demonstrate that Minnesota is serious about competing, and Jeffers is a fan favorite. That said, fans should be understanding if the Twins let Jeffers walk because of Lackey. But if Jeffers does sign with another team, Minnesota must spend elsewhere on the roster to show it cares about winning.
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