A Deal with Boston: Swapping Ryan Jeffers and Connor Wong.

[Nate Palmer]

As we wait for the Twins to give us clues to how the roster will fit together with the addition of the veteran Victor Caratini, we can also still speculate on some moves that could work. The Boston Red Sox are a team that is still seeking help at the catcher position. The two teams already primed the pump for trades with a minor trade on Wednesday morning. Let us see if we can make a bigger trade work, sending Ryan Jeffers to Boston to solve their catching needs. 

Before the reported signing of Caratini to a two-year deal, one of the big question marks moving forward for the Twins has been who will fill the catcher position come 2027. The Twins have collected plenty of catching talent recently, but none of those players is likely to reach the big leagues anytime soon. With Caratini in place, there is a baseline for 2027. If the Red Sox trade for Jeffers, they have a player who could help with the Twins' needs in 2027 and beyond. 

Connor Wong is currently slated to be the Red Sox backup catcher, but he doesn’t seem long-term in the Red Sox plans, considering they are shopping around for more catching help. Wong is similar to both Caratini and Jeffers in that he isn’t highly regarded for his defense at catcher. Where Wong can bring value to a team is with his bat. The issue is that last season, he did not deliver in that way, only hitting for a .190 batting average, .500 OPS, and 39 wRC+ over 63 games. 

The Twins could be more patient with Wong, who still has an option year remaining and can be sent to the minors. While last year's offensive stats were not good, in 2024, he played in 126 games with a .280 batting average, 112 wRC+, and .758 OPS. while also hitting 13 home runs. The Twins could send Wong to St. Paul and hope the club can help the catcher rediscover that 2024 offensive form while letting Caratini and Alex Jackson set up behind the plate in Minneapolis. 

In this part of the trade, the Twins trade away Jeffers’ $6.7 million and replace it with Wong’s $1.375 million, which he earned himself in his first year of arbitration. That would save the Twins roughly $5.3 million, which we can hope could be used to add to a very empty bullpen in some late offseason additions. 

Speaking of the bullpen, considering how much more valuable Jeffers is than Wong, the Twins could turn to see if they could identify a reliever for the 2026 bullpen who is on the Red Sox roster. One name that immediately jumps off the roster is an old friend and left-handed reliever, Jovani Moran. Moran had a worrisome 6.75 ERA last season but an expected ERA of 3.75. If the regime still sees value in Moran, he could be a target. 

It doesn’t have to be Moran either. But if the Twins brought back a potential future catcher in Wong and a reliever to give a bit more steadiness to the bullpen, that gives the Twins value for a player in Jeffers that looks ready to walk off into free agency this offseason and is part of a weird fit of players currently on the Twins roster. 

For Twins fans, this return package likely feels underwhelming for a player who has been a key to any positive vibes recently for the club. It does fit with what some previous catcher trades have produced. Detroit traded for a half-season of catcher Carson Kelly in 2024 in exchange for two minor leaguers, catcher Liam Hicks and pitcher Tyler Owens. Hicks has seen success with Miami after they selected him in the Rule 5 draft, while Owens debuted last season but pitched well in very limited chances. 

This past trade deadline, Danny Jansen netted the Rays a prospect in Jadher Areinamo. Before being traded, Areinamo was often ranked in the low 20s in Brewers prospect rankings and has been successful in the Venezuelan league this winter.  

Both Jansen and Kelly had less control than Jeffers currently does, but it at least gives us a launching point for value. Jeffers has full-year control and better offensive production, so his value should be slightly higher. That would certainly be reflected in a package of Wong and Moran, who both have a major league track record to look at. 

Is this a deal worth making to clean up what appears to be a confusing roster? Should the Twins just figure out how to make it work with both Jeffers and Caratini on the roster? 

 

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[Hrbeks Divot]

[DasBat]

That would be a terrible return for one of your better trade chips.  I would hope the front office would be run out of town if they agreed to that

[Linus]

Jovani Moran?  What are you smoking?

[FlyingFinn]

Is this a Rand Ball Stus article?

[thelanges5]

No bueno. Keep Jeffers and Caratini.

[Parfigliano]

45 minutes ago, DasBat said:

That would be a terrible return for one of your better trade chips.  I would hope the front office would be run out of town if they agreed to that

I hope the FO is run out of town even if they don't agree to Jeffers for Wong.

[CRF]

That would be stupid. 

[arby58]

The Twins front office can't make this trade and continue to claim they are in 'win now' mode. I wouldn't be adverse to trading Jeffers, as they have two MLB catchers now on the roster, but the return has to be better than this.

[mikelink45]

I can't decide if this is one of those articles just to keep us responding to TD or do you really think something so stupid is possible?  

[LastOnePicked]

"That would save the Twins roughly $5.3 million, which could be used to further reinforce the bullpen."

This is the most sweetly naive sentence ever to appear on TwinsDaily. Bless your heart. 

[TheLeviathan]

I know other people have focused on Moran, the money saved, etc.....all fair points.

But I actually looked up Wong....I wouldn't trade James Outman for him.  Jeffers?

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Why?

[old nurse]

2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Is this a Rand Ball Stus article?

That could be said for anything written about what a haul you would get for a .player in a trade.  The far for roster projections

[DocBauer]

Sorry, what?

Did you get the short stick to write an article?

This is absolutely ridiculous!

I would absolutely trust in Cartini, and Pereda and prospect Cardenas, who I see as a better hitting version of Butera, before I would do this move.

NEXT!

[TJSweens]

This is truly an awful idea. The rationalizations for doing this trade seem like something I would come up with after a prolonged period of insomnia.

[Cris E]

“What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

[USAFChief]

3 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

I hope the FO is run out of town even if they don't agree to Jeffers for Wong.

If Jeffers for Wong were to get the front office out of town, that might make this deal ultimately worthwhile...

[terrydactyls]

I just read this article and I cannot find any mention of Moran in it.  Was he edited out because of the crowd shaming?

[Whitey333]

Ridiculous idea.  It's Friday.  It has to be one of those sarcastic click bait articles.  Hello?  Anyone there TD?

[bean5302]

Wong is not going to hit well enough to be in MLB. He had the abberation year in 2024, but his xwOBA was WAY lower than his actual. Not sure what having him adds to the Twins. If we're going to trade Jeffers, I'd prefer Wong isn't part of the package.

 

[twinstalker]

I think I once got admonished here for saying something similar to what I want to say now.

[JD-TWINS]

On 1/22/2026 at 9:09 PM, mikelink45 said:

I can't decide if this is one of those articles just to keep us responding to TD or do you really think something so stupid is possible?  

It reads a bit like an article from “The Onion” ….. poor defensive catcher off a down offensive year and a struggling middle reliever……. who wouldn’t jump on that?

[TopGunn#22]

Nate, I get that it's hard to come up with an article, especially with the hangover of a protest vacation day on Friday, but Jeffers for Connor Wong?  Jeffers has a BBTV of 15.3.  Wong has a value of 1.6.  It just doesn't work, and with Caratini and Jackson (and Perada and Cardenas waiting in the wings), there is no need for Wong in any possible trade.  

However, after the Caratini signing, it makes sense to speculate about entertaining trade offers for Ryan Jeffers.  Logically, the longest Jeffers could be a Minnesota Twin would be about July 1st of this year.  His agent is Scott Boras and signing an extension to remain with the Twins just ain't happening.  

So the question to answer is this:  What trade of Ryan Jeffers could make the Twins a better team in 2026 and beyond? And would sooner be better than later?  Here's an idea.

Trading Jeffers by himself makes it difficult and the Twins have too many DH types on their roster at this time as it is.  The goal is to improve defense, either in the IF or OF and adding some better hitting would be a plus as well.

Trade #1:  Boston gets Jeffers 15.3 (29 years old this season) and Larnach 3.8 (29 years old this season)  19.1 Total Value and the Twins receive either Kristian Campbell 19.4 value (24 years old this season. Plays 2B and CF) or Franklin Arias 22.1 value (Plays SS or 2B).  Campbell played in 67 games with an OPS of .664 for the Red Sox last year.  Arias has a .723 OPS over 3 levels, A, A+ and AA in the Red Sox system.  Both are good defenders with burgeoning offensive potential.

Trade #2:  Boston gets Jeffers 15.3 and Matt Wallner (28 years old) 20.5 for a total Value of 35.8.  The Twins get Wilyer Abreu who will turn 27 in late June, a 27.4 value and Tristan Casas 26 years old with a value of 7.2.  Total value for the Twins 34.6.  

Abreu has won Gold Gloves in RF the last 2 years for the Red Sox.  He hit 15 HR's in 2024 and 22 HR's in 2025 with OPS's of .781 and .786.  He would be a massive upgrade over Wallner defensively and is a more consistent hitter.  Casas is just 26 and should be fully recovered from a major knee injury suffered last April in a game against the Twins.  He's had bad luck injuries the last 2 seasons but slugged 24 HR's with an .856 OPS in 2023.  That's more HR's than Wallner (22) or Larnach (17) have ever hit in a single season.  And Casas can actually play 1B as opposed to those suggesting that Wallner and Larnach just buy a 1B glove.

The Twins get younger.  They get MUCH better defensively.  And they add a couple of hitters with positive power potential going forward.  This would keep Josh Bell at DH the entire 2026 season which would be a good thing.  This trade adds a Gold Glove OF next to Buxton and hedges the Twins chances that one of Walker Jenkins or E-Rod don't set the league on fire right away.  It also clears a path for Gabe Gonzalez to get his first look in the big leagues as a DH, which is where he probably fits anyway with only occasional games in a corner OF position.  

This is the detail and work you need to put into posting an article on TD.  To simply suggest the Twins give Jeffers away for a vastly inferior player (and a Catcher) is just lazy.  Judging by the comments in response to your post, not many on TD want to trade Jeffers anyway, but you at least have to set up a scenario where it compels Twins fans to consider the possibility.  

[Twodogs]

I wonder if this article was misplaced?  Maybe it was meant for the Talk Sox board???

[Heiny]

I get the feeling that Twins fans may be against this deal.  Huh!  Expect it to happen now.

 

[Dawgzilla]

Lay off the crack pipe front office if even considering this plan!  I've never seen such ineptitude or such little empathy from the Twins ownership and front office to their fans!  Are they trying to lose more monies!  SELL the team if you can't afford it (cough...billionaires)!  "We need a new stadium to compete with the bigger markets", but nothing changed, team spending wise, after Minnesota taxpayers and guests from outside city (coming to watch a game or two....hotels, restaurants, etc. from revenue accrued from taxes received to go to games)!!!  Talk about pulling the rug out from Twin supporters!

[NYCTK]

52 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Nate, I get that it's hard to come up with an article, especially with the hangover of a protest vacation day on Friday, but Jeffers for Connor Wong? 

Funny comment considering the article is from Thursday. 

Time: How does it work? 

Any excuse to complain. 

 

[Nate Palmer]

56 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Nate, I get that it's hard to come up with an article, especially with the hangover of a protest vacation day on Friday, but Jeffers for Connor Wong?  Jeffers has a BBTV of 15.3.  Wong has a value of 1.6.  It just doesn't work, and with Caratini and Jackson (and Perada and Cardenas waiting in the wings), there is no need for Wong in any possible trade.  

However, after the Caratini signing, it makes sense to speculate about entertaining trade offers for Ryan Jeffers.  Logically, the longest Jeffers could be a Minnesota Twin would be about July 1st of this year.  His agent is Scott Boras and signing an extension to remain with the Twins just ain't happening.  

So the question to answer is this:  What trade of Ryan Jeffers could make the Twins a better team in 2026 and beyond? And would sooner be better than later?  Here's an idea.

Trading Jeffers by himself makes it difficult and the Twins have too many DH types on their roster at this time as it is.  The goal is to improve defense, either in the IF or OF and adding some better hitting would be a plus as well.

Trade #1:  Boston gets Jeffers 15.3 (29 years old this season) and Larnach 3.8 (29 years old this season)  19.1 Total Value and the Twins receive either Kristian Campbell 19.4 value (24 years old this season. Plays 2B and CF) or Franklin Arias 22.1 value (Plays SS or 2B).  Campbell played in 67 games with an OPS of .664 for the Red Sox last year.  Arias has a .723 OPS over 3 levels, A, A+ and AA in the Red Sox system.  Both are good defenders with burgeoning offensive potential.

Trade #2:  Boston gets Jeffers 15.3 and Matt Wallner (28 years old) 20.5 for a total Value of 35.8.  The Twins get Wilyer Abreu who will turn 27 in late June, a 27.4 value and Tristan Casas 26 years old with a value of 7.2.  Total value for the Twins 34.6.  

Abreu has won Gold Gloves in RF the last 2 years for the Red Sox.  He hit 15 HR's in 2024 and 22 HR's in 2025 with OPS's of .781 and .786.  He would be a massive upgrade over Wallner defensively and is a more consistent hitter.  Casas is just 26 and should be fully recovered from a major knee injury suffered last April in a game against the Twins.  He's had bad luck injuries the last 2 seasons but slugged 24 HR's with an .856 OPS in 2023.  That's more HR's than Wallner (22) or Larnach (17) have ever hit in a single season.  And Casas can actually play 1B as opposed to those suggesting that Wallner and Larnach just buy a 1B glove.

The Twins get younger.  They get MUCH better defensively.  And they add a couple of hitters with positive power potential going forward.  This would keep Josh Bell at DH the entire 2026 season which would be a good thing.  This trade adds a Gold Glove OF next to Buxton and hedges the Twins chances that one of Walker Jenkins or E-Rod don't set the league on fire right away.  It also clears a path for Gabe Gonzalez to get his first look in the big leagues as a DH, which is where he probably fits anyway with only occasional games in a corner OF position.  

This is the detail and work you need to put into posting an article on TD.  To simply suggest the Twins give Jeffers away for a vastly inferior player (and a Catcher) is just lazy.  Judging by the comments in response to your post, not many on TD want to trade Jeffers anyway, but you at least have to set up a scenario where it compels Twins fans to consider the possibility.  

I really appreciate this from TopGunn for the alternative packages. I really mistrust Trade Values valuation as it often has some unrealistic values for players that is why I chose to instead try to use trades that have been completed in the past. I would love nothing else than the Twins to be able to get the likes of Abreu, Casas, or Campbell, I just don't think other teams will value Jeffers, Larnach, or Wallner to that level. I will eat crow if that changes and be very happy to do so. I may run around in the streets singing "Win Twins." I would think the only hope for that sort of value coming true is if other catcher needy teams push the trade to that level. Thank-you for everyone's thoughts! 

[Fatbat]

Jeffers is going to be catching 2/3 or 3/4 games until he fails or breaks down. If he is wildly successful in his expanded role, he might get an extension of 3 years/$40M.  That gets us all the way until one of the kids is ready to be the guy.  At some point in our rebuild, the new partners are going to spend $$$ and it better be on having an allstar tandem C duo. Tait may be the cheap talent and Jeffers the grizzled vet who can also DH. 
Jeffers stays and gets paid if they actually want to compete.