The Minnesota Twins extended a $23.15 million qualifying offer to long-time catcher Ryan Jeffers, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post. Jeffers was one of eight players to receive a QO. The others were Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners, David Bednar of the New York Yankees, Brandon Lowe of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jake Bauers of the Milwaukee Brewers, Adrián Morejón of the San Diego Padres, Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs and Trevor Rogers of the Baltimore Orioles.
The Twins made a smart decision by extending Jeffers the QO. While $23.15 million may seem like a steep price for Jeffers, he'd clearly be the best backstop on the free-agent market if he declines the offer. Paying Jeffers that price for just one year, then having top-catching prospect Vahn Lackey take over the catching position in 2028, would be a perfect situation for Minnesota.
Will catcher Ryan Jeffers decline or accept the Minnesota Twins' qualifying offer this offseason?
There's a strong chance Jeffers will decline the offer to test free agency. If Jeffers decides to do that, Minnesota will receive draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. He has until 3:00 p.m. CDT on Nov. 17 to make a decision.
If Jeffers declines the offer and signs a $50 million+ contract with another team, the Twins will receive a compensatory pick right after the first round of the 2027 draft. If he declines the offer and signs for less than $50 million elsewhere, Minnesota will get a draft pick between Competitive Balance Round B and the beginning of the third round, likely the 70th-75th overall pick.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic projects Jeffers will sign a two-year, $15.5 million contract this offseason. If Jeffers believes that's his market value, he will undoubtedly accept the Twins' qualifying offer.
Meanwhile, Spotrac gives Jeffers a market value of three years, $39.75 million. Since Jeffers will be the best-hitting catcher on the free-agent market if he declines the qualifying offer, and strong-hitting catchers are rare these days, Spotrac's prediction seems more accurate than Bowden's.
Jeffers appeared in only 92 games this past season due to a hamate bone fracture. In those 92 games, the catcher posted 2.6 fWAR and a .256/.353/.461 (128 wRC+) slash line with 14 home runs and 56 RBI.
Since making his MLB debut with the Twins in 2020, Jeffers has posted 10.9 fWAR and a .242/.327/.426 (111 wRC+) slash line with 82 home runs and 279 RBI.
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