You’re not a GM. You Shouldn’t Want to Trade Ryan Jeffers.

[rdehring]

Interesting article and comments.  Let's think about what is most likely to have happened in the past and is happening today.  We must expect the Twins discussed extending Jeffers at some point over the past couple years.  We also must assume Zoll has checked in with his agent some time over the past few weeks.  Seeing that nothing has happened, we must assume the answer to an extension was either no, or hell no.  Considering who his agent is, likely the later.

That means the Twins today are facing the option of trading Jeffers or keeping him and getting nothing come November.  It has been discussed elsewhere that offering a QO to a catcher makes no sense as it would be a drastic overpay.  So, forget about having Jeffers in 2027 or beyond.  He will probably be the best catcher available this winter and there are several big market, big money teams who will bid the price for him to a level well beyond what makes sense for most teams.  The good news for Jeffers is he has become one heck of a good catcher and is going to get paid really well.  And that's why his going to free agency makes a ton of sense, for him.

On the other hand, everyone keeps assuming the Twins will trade him for prospects.  That doesn't have to happen.  As someone mentioned above, trade him for a pitcher like Abel, who would help next year, or a very good, young reliever with 3 or 4 years of control.  Probably not Louie Varland, but maybe Varland light.  Considering how badly the Yankees and a few other teams need catching, might get that type of player plus another lower-level prospect.

As far as those next 50 games are concerned, the Twins just might just be better with that relief pitcher than with two of Jeffers, Caratini and Jackson sitting in the dugout watching those games.  But the best of all is that in another 8 days we will all know what they did.  Or didn't do.

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

By the way in no surprise, Paredes is on the 15 day IL, Prielipp activated. Sands also activated, but haven’t seen a corresponding move. I’m guessing Anderson back to AAA but don’t know.

[Heiny]

I respect your opinion, but I do not respect that you are telling anyone how to be a fan.  Opinions are like, well you know.  The way I see it, the Twins are one of the teams that do not spend big bucks for top talent so we have to rely on the draft and good trades for low cost talent.  So if trading away an expiring contract makes your team better in a year where the chance of competing makes the team better for multiple years, I don't see that as bad management.  If someone thinks that is better for the team, it doesn't make that person a bad fan.  If the Twins trade Jeffers and or Ryan, I will continue to root for my team.  If they stand pat,  I will continue to root for my team.  But hoping for the trade deadline to go one way or the other does not make anyone a bad fan.  Thats my, well you know, opinion.

[nova_twins]

Agreed. The yearning on here for mediocre prospects is tiresome. I personally like players who can actually play in the Majors, apparently this is the minority view however. 

[Dan In Real Life]

It's a great topic, even if I think this is more nuance than you argue. I don't want either of the Ryans traded. I want Jeffers to get extended with a 3 yr $50-60M contract. I am nowhere near ready to assume Lackey is almost ready to be our catcher....

AND this is likely the highest trade value Jeffers will ever have. And you know what? Pretending to be a GM is actually fun for many of us. Isn't that basically why Twins Daily and GaTG exist?

And I take your point. Sometimes I realize that I'm explaining moves to my son and others as if they shouldn't be mad that Player X was traded. I didn't want Player X to be traded either.

It's not either/or. It's just being a Twins fan for that past 50 years.

[Brandon27]

if i was a the GM i want to trade jeffers i be asking more then just two prospects and someone off the major league roster.

[ziggy]

I want it all.

I want the Twins to play meaningful games all year and I want them to acquire top tier talent via trade. No more good hit bad field, or good field bad hitter types.

What good is aquiring minor leagers that have to be exposed to the rule 5 draft shortly like many of last year traded for players? The Twins have enough small engine Chevys, they need probable Ferrari's.

As a fan I was not going to watch or attend games this year after last years roster gutting, but here I am........

[Wedman13]

3 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Very negative in your face article!  You write stories for Twins Daily that usually supports differing opinions.  Then slam those same people that don't agree with your opinion.  One of the many things wrong with baseball IMO (there im doing it too) is telling us how to be fans.  Don't go there.  Baseball is already in bad shape.   But thanks for your opinion anyway.

The only thing worse than the tone of the article, is the take.  I'm sorry folks, Jeffers is not signing here long term.  And I believe next years qualifying offer is $23 million. - and that can't happening..  So if you don't trade him, enjoy the next 2 months, then you have nothing.  Not a world I would play in. 

but you really really really want to keep him and the price tags that comes because you are a 'good fan'?  Then it is gross negligence to have traded Duran to get Tait and spend our top 2 draft picks on catchers.

players coaches and gms have been trying to tell you baseball is a business for 30 years..... you may want to start believing them.

You get what you can for Jeffers before he walks for zero.

[MikeNC]

I agree with rdehring. Stop with the pie in the sky thinking.  The Twins have limited payroll compared to many other teams.  Jeffers deserves, and will get, a big money mult-year contract.  Good luck and Godspeed!  And yes Virginia, we want to believe the Twins can trade him for some low cost but great young help.  Do I wish we could keep him? Yes, and Sonny Gray etc. etc. etc.  Being a Twins fans means accepting that great players will leave us for free agency big $$.  It just makes sense, no matter how much we wish otherwise, to let them go and try to get something for them on thier way out.

[ashbury]

"Molybdenum is atomic number 42.  You Shouldn’t Want to Trade Ryan Jeffers."

My headline is the same chain of logic as the one for this article.  A true statement followed by an unrelated opinion.

[Hunter4848]

It's pathetic, gutless Twins fans like the author that lets the Pohlads get away with their antics and why we only have mediocre baseball here for decades. Don't tell me how to be a fan, I want to see a World Series before I die.

Try to expand your horizons and raise your expectations and quit accepting losing. And certainly don't mock fans that actually have expectations for this franchise 

[chpettit19]

Few things to explain why I disagree with this entire article and think its one of the worst ever posted on this site.

#1 You can fan how you want to fan and don't worry about how I, or anyone else, fans. You enjoy the Twins, and sports in general, how you want and I'll enjoy them how I want.

#2 The reason I want them to trade Jeffers and Ryan is because I'm a fan. I do enjoy playing armchair GM, but my thoughts and opinions are clouded much more by fandom than any GM's should be. I want them to trade them because I'm a fan and will be next year and the year after and the year after that. And I want them to be good in those years! 

#3 There's a massive gap between "have to win a championship or its a bust of a season" and "hey, they're almost .500!" I absolutely want them to push to be champions and get out of this "hey, weren't completely and utterly terrible so it was a success" mindset. But that doesn't mean I consider the entire season a waste if they don't. 

#4 I don't care about a sub-.500 team trying to get close to making the playoffs at the expense of the following seasons. You can. And I hope you're enjoying this team. I enjoy some of the performances we're seeing, but the season isn't overly enjoyable for me when they lose more than they win. And its none of your business that I don't enjoy that. Don't worry about me and how I fan. I don't remember you, or anyone, writing these kinds of articles the last couple years. The league being down (until recently) doesn't change how I enjoy this team. I didn't enjoy them not being able to get to and stay above .500 last year and I don't enjoy it this year. 

One last time: Keep your eyes on your own bobber. Fan how you want and don't worry about how I fan. 

Trade Jeffers and Ryan.

[MMBoys93]

If the Twins let upcoming free agents walk without getting assets back, the farm system dwindles, the Pohlad’s don’t spend money and we’re magically transported back to 2011-2014 when the team lost 90+ games each year. 

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

Yes they did a good job in the month of June when Jeffers was out.  But can they do it for a whole season.  Caratini has never started more than 87 games at catcher and that was 5 years ago.  And Jackson has never started more than 30 games and that was 5 years ago as well.  You are going to expect them to catch a significant number of games more than they have in the past and still be productive, no more what the split is of games started.  And Caratini will be 33 be the end of this season.

There may not be any chance of having Jeffers next year, but I am not sure our catching situation is as solid as we are hoping it is.  We have two good backup catchers that we will be hoping can take on a larger role.

Jeffers has never, in his life, caught more than 81 games in a season. He's no sure thing to be some true starting catcher either. And they can trade him now and sign him after the season. Nothing says they can't offer him the best deal if they trade him.

[saviking]

So what confuses me is if the owners win the salary cap war and the Twins are mandated to spend 171 million, don't they want to sign Ryan to a multi year contract to help fill that gap? 

Maybe Jeffers as well BUT .. His replacement isn't far away and there is a lot of depth below him. But if the Twins get hot and move into contention maybe you just keep Jeffers for the play off run and them let him walk for nothing? 

If we do tag Jeffers does anyone know the salary commitment? And I wonder if that would keep a team from paying more leading to compensation. That would be kind of a game of chicken move. 

[Greggory Masterson]

41 minutes ago, Hunter4848 said:

It's pathetic, gutless Twins fans like the author that lets the Pohlads get away with their antics and why we only have mediocre baseball here for decades. Don't tell me how to be a fan, I want to see a World Series before I die.

I will end my pathetic and gutless ways and join you in the streets, wailing and gnashing teeth, until the Pohlads strip the team for parts at the deadline so they can save 10 million dollars. Thank you for showing me the error of my ways.

[1985Fan]

I agree with the jist of this OP. When the team has a chance at the playoffs, they should take it. They can’t keep continually building for the future. At some point they need to add to what they have. Jeffers is possibly one way to do both, add a controllable player for this seasons push that will be here next year. 
Trading Ryan is the other end of the spectrum. Selling out on this season and next for players that may or may not develop into long term assets. Too many fans look at prospects as if they were sure fire MLB stars. All they are is lottery tickets. I don’t understand the logic of trading a two time all star pitcher for prospects. Different scenario than Jeffers in that Ryan is under control for next year, and at a cheap price! Having Joe anchor the rotation with Lopez next season should be exciting for Twins fans. 
I think there is a large group of baseball fans into the arm chair GM game more so than watching the current team. Call it looking at what could be instead of what is. Nothing wrong with that except I think they miss out on the good baseball in front of them. I’m enjoying the competitive games now, like the series in Cleveland. Are the Twins as good as the Dodgers? Obviously not. The question really is are they as good as, or better, than the White Sox and/or Guardians. I think they are, but I hope the GM gives this team a chance to prove it. If, in the next two series, they play themselves out of the race, then make trades for the future. 

[saviking]

what confuses me is if the owners win the salary cap war and the Twins are mandated to spend 171 million, don't they want to sign Ryan to a multi year contract to help fill that gap? 

Maybe Jeffers as well BUT .. His replacement isn't far away and there is a lot of depth below him. But if the Twins get hot and move into contention maybe you just keep Jeffers for the play off run and them let him walk for nothing? 

If we do tag Jeffers does anyone know the salary commitment? And I wonder if that would keep a team from paying more leading to compensation. That would be kind of a game of chicken move. 

[saviking]

I'm not a GM? BUt, I slept at a Holiday Inn last night 🌙 

[Mike Sixel]

15 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

I agree with the jist of this OP. When the team has a chance at the playoffs, they should take it. They can’t keep continually building for the future. At some point they need to add to what they have. Jeffers is possibly one way to do both, add a controllable player for this seasons push that will be here next year. 
Trading Ryan is the other end of the spectrum. Selling out on this season and next for players that may or may not develop into long term assets. Too many fans look at prospects as if they were sure fire MLB stars. All they are is lottery tickets. I don’t understand the logic of trading a two time all star pitcher for prospects. Different scenario than Jeffers in that Ryan is under control for next year, and at a cheap price! Having Joe anchor the rotation with Lopez next season should be exciting for Twins fans. 
I think there is a large group of baseball fans into the arm chair GM game more so than watching the current team. Call it looking at what could be instead of what is. Nothing wrong with that except I think they miss out on the good baseball in front of them. I’m enjoying the competitive games now, like the series in Cleveland. Are the Twins as good as the Dodgers? Obviously not. The question really is are they as good as, or better, than the White Sox and/or Guardians. I think they are, but I hope the GM gives this team a chance to prove it. If, in the next two series, they play themselves out of the race, then make trades for the future. 

They have to play as well as the best AL team has all year to get to 85 wins. You think that's even thirty percent likely?

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Thank you!

As a fan, I have been in disbelief with so many writers and comments on this page clamoring to trade our best players. Absolutely not. We are trying to win. Once you're in the playoffs, anything can happen. 

There is a 0% chance I'd be in favor of trading Jeffers or Ryan. Those are 2 elite players in this league. I dont care what the return would be. If they were traded, they would need to be replaced. KEEP THEM! Give Jeffers the QO. Try to extend them both. Lackey and Tait are VERY nice C prospects, but there are no guarantees. 

Now, I am in favor of possibly moving players that wouldn't be a part of the future. Like Bell. If he is traded, move Larnach to DH and clear a spot in the OF for one of the many high end prospects waiting in AAA. Moving guys that have underperformed for 3 years like Royce. Possibly even Martin. 

But there is no chance I'd be in favor of trading our stars. 

[1985Fan]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They have to play as well as the best AL team has all year to get to 85 wins. You think that's even thirty percent likely?

I’m not an oddsmaker, but I see they have a 30.1% chance at the postseason, according to Sportsline oddsmakers. So yes, they have a shot😊

[Senior Softball Guy]

3 hours ago, nicholas Anderson said:

I'm only interested in trading him for the right piece. A top 100 pitcher, that can be plugged into the back of the rotation now. Think mick abel from last year. That helps us now and into the future. Look at the yankees, the top of their prospect list is full of pitchers.

Shea Langeliers just went on the dl with a torn Miniscus. Jeffers trade potential has increased a lot.

[Dman]

20 minutes ago, saviking said:

what confuses me is if the owners win the salary cap war and the Twins are mandated to spend 171 million, don't they want to sign Ryan to a multi year contract to help fill that gap? 

Maybe Jeffers as well BUT .. His replacement isn't far away and there is a lot of depth below him. But if the Twins get hot and move into contention maybe you just keep Jeffers for the play off run and them let him walk for nothing? 

If we do tag Jeffers does anyone know the salary commitment? And I wonder if that would keep a team from paying more leading to compensation. That would be kind of a game of chicken move. 

While I'd like the owners to win the salary cap war I don't think it's going to happen.  Reason number 1 would be that baseball is in the best shape its been financially in its history and reason number two given this years results despite the salary disparity there appears to be team parity for the most part.  As a fan of a team that receives revenue sharing under the current system free agency sucks as I know nothing all that good is coming my teams way and Not being able to retain star level talent sucks for my team as well.

However, should the owners manage to win that war and the Twins traded Jeffers there would be nothing stopping them from bidding 25M per year on him if they want.  Still I'd think if they get that cap rise the Twins should use that money on elite arms more than bats as they have a lot of athletic hitters ready to come up and see what they can do.  I believe 4 of them are top 50 prospects. So that money could be spent a variety of ways than just on retaining Jeffers.  It also seems unlikely that new CBA would go into effect right away it would likely be series of years to get there as teams were not built for that model and contracts are contracts.

At any rate the Twins can keep Jeffers and go for it, but with so many teams clustered in the same range and with the Twins starting pitching so depleted the odds are low that they make the playoffs and even lower that they do anything in playoffs.  We've seen the Rays, Brewers, and Guardian's make the smart play and trade players that have increased (overpay) value at the deadline and those teams continue to by successful year after year despite there meager payrolls.  I'd think if the Twins were smart they would do the same.

[killercarewoliva]

6 hours ago, bryceboylehoban said:

I agree with quite a bit of this, but maybe for different reasons. I’m not so concerned about awful baseball for 50 games if they trade some studs. The next wave of young talent will be here soon. And I think supplementing that with a few more solid-to-great prospects or even current mlb players with control is worth watching bad baseball for a couple months. 

But what I am concerned about is the Twins attempting to do some half-assed buy/sell that I’ve seen some people pushing for. The idea of trading your best hitter (when he’s been on the field) and then also buying some relievers and maybe a back end arm is kind of crazy to me. If you’re going to sell, just sell. And if you’re going to buy, just buy. 

The margins for this team are thin. They need every hand on deck if they are going to make a miracle run to the playoffs. 

I was reading on how the Milwaukee Brewers do it and look where they are. I'm just making up an example so when you have a great star player and he has given the team 12 great years but Mike can give three more great years. there are organizations that would love to have that three great years for some ready or almost ready replacement to build on. if you wait until he's completed his entire majorly career, he don't have anything to replace him with that's related to him. we certainly don't want to lose Byron Buxton but if he was traded for a place of great need like a starting picture and a high quality relief person. then he can know that when he got traded he helped the team. but if he is determined to wait until retirement, he's not helping the team's future at all. well, that's just one man's opinion. if anything's not written well, I don't proofread these things as I say them.

[Mike Sixel]

23 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

I’m not an oddsmaker, but I see they have a 30.1% chance at the postseason, according to Sportsline oddsmakers. So yes, they have a shot😊

Fair. 27 percent on fangraphs, so a wash. Is that enough odds to keep Jeffers? I vote no, but I understand why people disagree. 

[chpettit19]

42 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

I agree with the jist of this OP. When the team has a chance at the playoffs, they should take it. They can’t keep continually building for the future. At some point they need to add to what they have. Jeffers is possibly one way to do both, add a controllable player for this seasons push that will be here next year. 
Trading Ryan is the other end of the spectrum. Selling out on this season and next for players that may or may not develop into long term assets. Too many fans look at prospects as if they were sure fire MLB stars. All they are is lottery tickets. I don’t understand the logic of trading a two time all star pitcher for prospects. Different scenario than Jeffers in that Ryan is under control for next year, and at a cheap price! Having Joe anchor the rotation with Lopez next season should be exciting for Twins fans. 
I think there is a large group of baseball fans into the arm chair GM game more so than watching the current team. Call it looking at what could be instead of what is. Nothing wrong with that except I think they miss out on the good baseball in front of them. I’m enjoying the competitive games now, like the series in Cleveland. Are the Twins as good as the Dodgers? Obviously not. The question really is are they as good as, or better, than the White Sox and/or Guardians. I think they are, but I hope the GM gives this team a chance to prove it. If, in the next two series, they play themselves out of the race, then make trades for the future. 

You, like the author, confuse wanting to see certain moves made with not enjoying the games we're watching. I can do both. Wanting them to trade Jeffers and Ryan doesn't make me sit in my living room and hate every second of watching them. It doesn't make me not watch. What makes me not enjoy this season to any great extreme is that this team has been at (not above, AT) .500 for 1 day since April when they were 12-12. 

I enjoy or don't enjoy each and every game on its own merits. My desire to see Ryan and Jeffers traded plays no role in that. My desire to not see yet another below .500 team in 2027 is what drives my desire to see moves made. 

You're going to struggle to find many people who are upset with you enjoying this team. All some of us are asking is that you not tell us that we can't enjoy this, or any, team unless we want to keep 100% of the players on it. As another poster said, I contain multitudes. I can enjoy games, the team, and even the season while still wanting them to trade Ryan and Jeffers. I'm sorry if some of you can only enjoy any individual part of those options if you want to keep Ryan Jeffers. The Pohlads love you, though.

[saviking]

14 minutes ago, Dman said:

While I'd like the owners to win the salary cap war I don't think it's going to happen.  Reason number 1 would be that baseball is in the best shape its been financially in its history and reason number two given this years results despite the salary disparity there appears to be team parity for the most part.  As a fan of a team that receives revenue sharing under the current system free agency sucks as I know nothing all that good is coming my teams way and Not being able to retain star level talent sucks for my team as well.

However, should the owners manage to win that war and the Twins traded Jeffers there would be nothing stopping them from bidding 25M per year on him if they want.  Still I'd think if they get that cap rise the Twins should use that money on elite arms more than bats as they have a lot of athletic hitters ready to come up and see what they can do.  I believe 4 of them are top 50 prospects. So that money could be spent a variety of ways than just on retaining Jeffers.  It also seems unlikely that new CBA would go into effect right away it would likely be series of years to get there as teams were not built for that model and contracts are contracts.

At any rate the Twins can keep Jeffers and go for it, but with so many teams clustered in the same range and with the Twins starting pitching so depleted the odds are low that they make the playoffs and even lower that they do anything in playoffs.  We've seen the Rays, Brewers, and Guardian's make the smart play and trade players that have increased (overpay) value at the deadline and those teams continue to by successful year after year despite there meager payrolls.  I'd think if the Twins were smart they would do the same.

Great response! 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Greggory Masterson said:

I will end my pathetic and gutless ways and join you in the streets, wailing and gnashing teeth, until the Pohlads strip the team for parts at the deadline so they can save 10 million dollars. Thank you for showing me the error of my ways.

I don't agree with the pathetic and gutless comment, but I'd suggest you remember that us disagreeing and making these comments is what allows you to get paid to write articles about a baseball team. Maybe lecturing us on how to be a fan correctly isn't the best look. 

[South Dakota Tom]

Your premise misses a vital point - the "actual" GM knows, right now, no questions asked, that the team will not pony up the money to sign Jeffers to a long-term deal.  That 100% impacts your plan - we cannot carry 3 catchers on the roster long-term, with more catching in the pipeline.  We have great needs and  very few areas of depth, so yes, you trade Jeffers (but keep Ryan for another year).  If we can get a cost-controlled starter (pre-arb, 1st year arb) for him, you do it in a minute.  

The flaw is that if we sit back and complain about the lack of spending, that the team's philosophy will change, and it won't.  We (as armchair GM's, then) have to navigate by selling off impending free agents to keep the prospect pool and current lineup as strong as possible in years when we aren't going to win it all.  2026 is one of those years, no?  

The only justifications for keeping Jeffers are that you believe we are going to win it all this year, or you believe we can and will sign him to a long-term deal (or, potentially, that the optics of keeping him outweigh the competitive advantage of trying to improve the team for the future).  I don't agree with any of those notions (and yes, I can still enjoy the team when I see them do the smart thing).