Trading Ryan Jeffers Would Be the Wrong Move for the Twins

[TL]

Not against trading him for a very good prospect return, but:

1. Caratini and Jackson have done well in his absence, but they are not Ryan Jeffers.
2. Twins are in contention and to they could really use him if they want to make a playoff run (that is the goal, right?).
3. If the return isn’t great, then you end up with a fringe major leaguer like a Ryan Gallagher. I’d suggest keeping Jeffers for a playoff run could have bigger long-term benefits to the psyche of the team (and fans) than having another Ryan Gallagher in AA.
4. Making playoffs, or even a legit playoff run, could increase revenue and result in higher payroll next year (no laughing).
5. There are no bad 1 year contracts, even at 23MM; and if he declines then you get a decent prospect anyway through the comp pick.

[DJL44]

Think about it in reverse. If the Twins didn’t have Ryan Jeffers on the roster, would you suggest they give up two top pitching prospects (ex Rojas and Hill) to obtain him for the last 3 months of the season?

[dxpavelka]

Tom told us he was going to do things differently.  Here's his chance.  Keep Jeffers.  $11-15 million for a high end catcher is NOT unreasonable.  And, Caratini's value may never be higher. Trade him.  You don't get better when your best players are playing for other teams. 

[TNtwins85]

10 hours ago, twinstalker said:

SMH at the article.  Twins writers should have the basic understanding that Jeffers, because of Boras, will simply go where the money is.  That the Twins will not pay Ryan Jeffers $22 million for one season, nor should they.  That the Twins will not pay Jeffers more than other teams in a long term contract.

I mean, what are we doing here?  It's clickbait.

He hired Boras once it was known that he will be a free agent. I imagine once they signed Carratini to a 2 year deal the writing was on the wall. Also, the Twins not offering anything in the previous 6 years as far as an extension.  He’s as good as gone. Get a decent prospect or 2 for him. 

[Coach JT]

Stop over thinking this , we are fine with Jackson as a backup . Trade Jeffers for 2 to 3 pitching prospects and keep going . Larnach the same , we have plenty of young outfielders . Time to actually have a plan for once . 

[HarmonK03]

Yes we probably need to move on from Jeffers.  But our catching situation is not as settled for 27 as many want to believe.  Caratini and Jackson have looked good for the last month but can they sustain over a full season.  Caratini has never started over 87 games and that was 5 years ago.  Plus he will be 33 in another month.  Jackson will be 31 before next season and has never started more than 37 games, again 5 years ago.

Can Caratini hold up for 110 to 120 games, can Jackson step and still be productive for 60 to 70 games.  They will need to sign someone in the offseason to take some of the load off of Caratini because I am not sure he can be your primary catcher for a full season.

[TNtwins85]

9 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

I agree with 90% ……..if he signs by July 25 or so, gotta trade Caratini to afford Jeffers going forward. Caratini also gets back in trade just as much or more than Jeffers with recent play & the added year of control.

Uhhh yeah, no. Caratini does not get the same as Jeffers. Although their stat lines may look the same for their years played Jeffers will get you back more. I thought about this but trading Caratini and keeping Jeffers really hamstrings you for next year. The answer is you have to trade him. It’s just the hard truth of the situation.

[TNtwins85]

48 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

Tom told us he was going to do things differently.  Here's his chance.  Keep Jeffers.  $11-15 million for a high end catcher is NOT unreasonable.  And, Caratini's value may never be higher. Trade him.  You don't get better when your best players are playing for other teams. 

You also don’t get better by signing 29 year old catchers to 4-5 year deals for 11-15million a year when catchers tend to decline rapidly in their 30’s. Usually. Maybe Jeffers is different but you can count on him declining within that 4-5 years. Maybe he still hits well into his 30’s but he for sure doesn’t get better defensively. You could get better by trading him for a few guys who have team control for 6-7 years and end up making maybe 20 million if they’re decent in their 6 year span. That’s the risk though. There’s also the possibility that they all don’t turn out. I would love to keep Jeffers but that ship sailed at least a year ago. At this point you cash him in and try your best to develop whomever you get for him.

[rv78]

Jeffers is getting $6.7M. Caratini is getting $7M. Jackson is getting $1.3M. You've currently got $15M tied up in the catcher position. Explain to me how paying Jeffers $12-13M, trading Caratini and keeping Jackson as the primary backup is not economically possible. Other backup catchers will be available at a cheaper price than Caratini, and Tait isn't too far away. Where would the Twins be if Buxton didn't have a no trade clause and he wasn't playing for them this year because they traded him away for more prospects? At some point you have to quit trading away your best players. 

[Twins GFP]

I laughed when I read this title, it felt like click-bait.

Of course the Twins don't WANT to trade Jeffers. A top-third catcher, still relatively young, serving a position of need. But the reality is that Jeffers is a Boras client. The chances of him signing an extension are basically nil. As a FA, he will be priced out of the Twins market.

If he is healthy by the deadline, they will move him for the best package.

[SteveLV]

If the Yankees call I would be interested in Angel Chivilli coming back.  23 years old. cheap, electric arm, bolsters the bullpen.  They also have some other interesting prospects but people asking about Lagrange, he is injured and out at least 6 weeks.

Maybe get Henry Lalane for a long play as a big, power lefty?

[chpettit19]

3 hours ago, TL said:

1. Caratini and Jackson have done well in his absence, but they are not Ryan Jeffers.

.246/.328/.414/.742
.263/.329/.406/.735

Those are the stat lines for the last 2 years for Caratini and Jeffers. Which one is Caratini and which one is Jeffers? Unless you think Jeffers is suddenly a .950 OPS player, Caratini very much is Ryan Jeffers.