In Buyer Mode, Could the Twins Trade a Catcher But Retain Ryan Jeffers?

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Before the trade deadline arrives, much of the focus (understandably) centers on the biggest names expected to change uniforms. For the Minnesota Twins, that conversation has almost exclusively revolved around Ryan Jeffers. He's an impending free agent; he's having the best offensive season of his career; and nearly every contender looking for catching help has been connected to him in one way or another. But what if the Twins found another way to capitalize on the catching market?

The market for catchers has only become more competitive in recent days. Multiple playoff contenders (including the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, and White Sox) are searching for help behind the plate, and one of the biggest alternative options disappeared when Athletics All-Star Shea Langeliers suffered a season-ending torn meniscus in his right knee. With Langeliers off the board, the demand has only increased.

Jeffers has quietly assembled the finest offensive season of his career. Entering the stretch run, he's hitting .283/.390/.532 with nine home runs and a .922 OPS, establishing himself as one of baseball's best offensive catchers. His combination of power, patience, and ability to control the strike zone makes him an attractive fit for virtually any contender looking to upgrade behind the plate.

The timing couldn't be better from a trade-value standpoint. Jeffers is scheduled to become a free agent after the season, meaning the Twins must determine whether they view him as part of their long-term plans or whether now is the time to maximize his value. Losing him in free agency for nothing would be a difficult outcome. If another club is willing to pay a premium today, that merits at least some consideration. With Langeliers no longer available, Jeffers arguably becomes the best catcher realistically available at the deadline.

There are certainly bigger names floating around the rumor mill. Diamond Centric currently ranks Jeffers as the No. 42 overall trade candidate, while listing Adley Rutschman, Hunter Goodman, and Francisco Alvarez ahead of him among available catchers.

The difference, however, is years of club control. All three of those catchers remain under team control beyond 2026, making them significantly more expensive acquisitions. Teams would have to surrender considerably more prospect capital to pry them away. It also means their current clubs don’t need to be in a hurry to trade them away.

That scarcity could actually strengthen Minnesota's negotiating position. For clubs looking to improve immediately without emptying their farm system, Jeffers may represent the most realistic and impactful addition available.

The surprise trade candidate could be Victor Caratini, if the Twins decide they don't want to part with Jeffers, or if the offers fail to meet their asking price. Caratini isn't nearly the offensive force Jeffers has become, but he's an experienced switch-hitting catcher with postseason experience, who remains under contract next season.

Caratini is owed a $6.5-million base salary in 2027 and has a $12-million mutual option for 2028. As is often the case with mutual options, the far more likely outcome is the Twins paying the $3.5-million buyout, rather than both sides exercising the option. In effect, they owe the veteran backstop $10 million for next season.

Moving Caratini would accomplish more than simply addressing another team's catching need. It would also create additional payroll flexibility heading into next season. Those savings could potentially help Minnesota pursue a reunion with Jeffers, or simply provide more room to address other roster needs over the winter.

Caratini doesn't offer Jeffers's offensive upside. Through 78 games, he owns a .684 OPS and a 92 OPS+, making him a below-average hitter. However, contenders often prioritize reliability and versatility at catcher over offensive production alone, especially if they're looking for a second catcher or platoon option.

Defensively, Caratini has graded as an above-average framer and blocker, helping his pitchers steal strikes and limit damage on balls in the dirt. The biggest concern has been controlling the running game. He has been charged with -6 runs in caught stealing above average and owns one of the slowest pop times among major-league catchers, making him vulnerable against aggressive baserunning clubs. Still, experienced catching is one of the hardest commodities to acquire in late July, and Caratini checks enough boxes to draw interest from clubs needing dependable depth behind the plate.

Jeffers remains the obvious name to watch over the next several days, and for good reason. He's playing the best baseball of his career at precisely the right time, and the market for catching has only become thinner following Langeliers's injury. However, trading Caratini would give the Twins financial flexibility while still allowing them to keep one of the league's hottest offensive catchers for a potential stretch run or future extension. It would be a less headline-grabbing move, but one that could quietly position the organization for both the remainder of this season and next year. As a last resort, of course, they could trade Alex Jackson, instead. Moving Jackson wouldn't save them much money, but it would alleviate the crunch created by carrying three catchers and clarify some players' roles. At this point, trading Jeffers feels unlikely. Trading Jackson would be an extremely minor move, but it's probably necessary—unless the front office finds a happy medium by dealing Caratini.

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Does it make sense to trade Caratini instead of Jeffers? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[umterp23]

When writing an article, how hard is it to look up the correct stat line? As for trading caratini, nice thought but if Jeffers doesn’t come back, Jackson and who else is catching next year? Please don’t say Lackey as he won’t be ready till ‘28 at the earliest unless you want growing pains right away

[HarmonK03]

You can't trade Caratini, he can play 1B.  A requirement for any position player on the Twins is that they can at least stand at 2 or more positions.

[dxpavelka]

I said this a month ago and nearly got laughed of this site.  Why not.  And don't give me the the "if we trade Caratini and Jeffers leaves who is gonna catch next year other than Jackson?" line.  Caratini's are a dime a dozen.  If someone's gonna give ya something for him, take it.  We found both Caratini and Jackson last off-season. (Can we get a little love for the FO for that?  I know it's not in the average Twins fan's DNA, but C'mon man!)  AND there are four catchers in the org's top 14 prospect list.  Maybe one develops a little quicker than expected.  Or maybe Tom is not just talking **** and ponies up and signs Jeffers to a (affordable) two or three year extension.  

[AceWrigley]

26 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

. . .  and signs Jeffers to a (affordable) two or three year extension.  

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Sorry, let me catch my breath. You know Scott Boras is his agent, right? There will be no affordable 2 or 3 year extension.

[sweetmusicviola16]

30 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

I said this a month ago and nearly got laughed of this site.  Why not.  And don't give me the the "if we trade Caratini and Jeffers leaves who is gonna catch next year other than Jackson?" line.  Caratini's are a dime a dozen.  If someone's gonna give ya something for him, take it.  We found both Caratini and Jackson last off-season. (Can we get a little love for the FO for that?  I know it's not in the average Twins fan's DNA, but C'mon man!)  AND there are four catchers in the org's top 14 prospect list.  Maybe one develops a little quicker than expected.  Or maybe Tom is not just talking **** and ponies up and signs Jeffers to a (affordable) two or three year extension.  

Is Jeffers going to sign on with that affordable extension? Something tells me no. And he has earned as lucrative of a deal as he can get.

[Nashvilletwin]

The Twins would be nuts not to trade Jeffers and capitalize on his peak trade value.  What they might lose from his contributions to this year’s pennant charge, they might gain more back to compensate for it this season. Get a couple of players - one or both who could contribute this year and be controllable for at least a couple more.  

[RpR]

14 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

The Twins would be nuts not to trade Jeffers and capitalize on his peak trade value.  What they might lose from his contributions to this year’s pennant charge, they might (may - might, is past tense)  gain more back to compensate for it this season. Get a couple of players - one or both who could contribute this year and be controllable for at least a couple more.  

May - expressing a wish or hope.

Or he may not - Twins are not a in a position for a crap-shoot.

[DataNerd]

If we trade a non-Jeffers catcher, my money is on Alex Jackson.  Someone will view him as a cheap backup improvement, and we can find a replacement in the offseason pretty easily for him.

[RpR]

2 minutes ago, DataNerd said:

If we trade a non-Jeffers catcher, my money is on Alex Jackson.  Someone will view him as a cheap backup improvement, and we can find a replacement in the offseason pretty easily for him.

Yeah, sure.

[Dman]

I don't see playoff teams being all that interested in Caratini.  He's had one good month in June with a 1`,000 OPS.  April was .680, May was an abysmal .475 OPS not OBP.  June he had the 1.060 OPS and now in July he is back down to .586.  I don't think there's enough consistency there for him to be all that much better than what teams have right now.  

Even if a team were interested I'm not sure the return would be worth it.,  It's certainly one way to get rid of having three catchers, but the Twins don't seem inclined to mess with the mojo the current team has.   I'd be surprised if they moved him for a marginal return.

I don't see them moving Jackson.  He's currently hitting over .300 with a .789 OPS and is cheap the next three years or so.  That is a good find if he can hit anything close to that as a backup catcher and should bridge the gap to Lackey. Also remember the Twins don't have any decent catchers even close in the minors. They need Jackson.

If they are keeping Jeffers then they seem committed to three catchers IMO.  They never did utilize the last player on the bench most of this season and I think there are enough players with options that they can maneuver if needed.,  

If it were me I'd trade Jeffers, but if they want to go for it and not be afraid of the QO I can live with that.  The 2027 Draft is supposed to be deep so they should have a chance to find someone decent if they can't or don't want to sign Jeffers long term.

[darin617]

2 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

I said this a month ago and nearly got laughed of this site.  Why not.  And don't give me the the "if we trade Caratini and Jeffers leaves who is gonna catch next year other than Jackson?" line.  Caratini's are a dime a dozen.  If someone's gonna give ya something for him, take it.  We found both Caratini and Jackson last off-season. (Can we get a little love for the FO for that?  I know it's not in the average Twins fan's DNA, but C'mon man!)  AND there are four catchers in the org's top 14 prospect list.  Maybe one develops a little quicker than expected.  Or maybe Tom is not just talking **** and ponies up and signs Jeffers to a (affordable) two or three year extension.  

Caratini is a dime a dozen player that will cost them 10m next year. 

I would trade Jeffers so at least they get something for him. I wouldn't trade Jackson under any circumstance. He's cheap and controllable. 

You trade Caratini they are back to square one and need to throw 5-7m at a catcher.

[darin617]

2 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Is Jeffers going to sign on with that affordable extension? Something tells me no. And he has earned as lucrative of a deal as he can get.

That's why you deal him now. 

[Old Twins Hat]

C'mon boys, the idea that the Twins should sacrifice their future as a winning baseball club on the altar of a surprise .500 season is just crazy.  Crazy!

Keep building for the future by giving up on wasting assets and acquiring ones on the way up.  That's the way this goes:  trade the old, bring in the new.

And BTW, the clubs that are moving to adopt the younger players, Washington, Chicago WS, Boston, they are making the biggest moves!

Trade Jeffers and whoever else anybody wants and then bring up the young talent and let them compete.

[thelanges5]

Recency bias - should a team that struggles against the A’s and Royals be in buyer mode?

[nicksaviking]

4 hours ago, umterp23 said:

When writing an article, how hard is it to look up the correct stat line? As for trading caratini, nice thought but if Jeffers doesn’t come back, Jackson and who else is catching next year? Please don’t say Lackey as he won’t be ready till ‘28 at the earliest unless you want growing pains right away

They just signed Caratini last off season and 80% of the posters had never heard of him before. I'm not sure why it seems implausible to find another stop-gap catcher.

But the loss of Caratini is likely a moot point anyway, because if they DON'T trade Jeffers, it would almost certainly mean they plan on extending him a qualifying offer, which he'll likely accept considering the uncertainty of the CBA and thus the free agent market.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Exactly what I've been commenting to do on this site for weeks. Trade Caratini. Keep Jeffers and Alex Jackson. 

Caratini has never had a starters workload. Suddenly relying on him to be a starter would be a terrible idea. 

[dxpavelka]

4 hours ago, AceWrigley said:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Sorry, let me catch my breath. You know Scott Boras is his agent, right? There will be no affordable 2 or 3 year extension.

His next deal is expected to be 3-4 years for $12-15 million annually.  Boras HAS been known to overplay his hand.  3 years at $16 million is NOT something the Twins wouldn't be able to afford.  Again, especially if Tom is true to his word.  You are also discounting the very real possibility of a CBA with a salary FLOOR which the Twins would have to spend UP to.  

[dxpavelka]

4 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Is Jeffers going to sign on with that affordable extension? Something tells me no. And he has earned as lucrative of a deal as he can get.

Which might not be as much as you think.  AND at the end of the day maybe we don't sign him.  That happens.  Teams lose free agents.  NOT the end of the world.  You might be content to see a catcher with a .900 OPS in the dugout on the other side of the field come October.  I"m not.

[dxpavelka]

2 hours ago, darin617 said:

Caratini is a dime a dozen player that will cost them 10m next year. 

I would trade Jeffers so at least they get something for him. I wouldn't trade Jackson under any circumstance. He's cheap and controllable. 

You trade Caratini they are back to square one and need to throw 5-7m at a catcher.

So who cares if you trade Caratini and go back to square one.  He's a dime a dozen player.  Would you rather pay HIM $10 million or Jeffers $15 million for 2-3 years until on of the kids is ready?

[terrydactyls]

4 hours ago, RpR said:

May - expressing a wish or hope.

Or he may not - Twins are not a in a position for a crap-shoot.

I think every trade is a crap shoot.  Injuries happen.  Arms fall off.  Your new hero falls on an icy step and blows his knee out (Southerners should not be outside in winter-like weather conditions).

[Rosterman]

Can Jeffers play first base? That would be the ultimate move. I would do it if you can reach a $$$ figure. Twins gave Vasquez $30. The gave Caratini $15. Moving Jeffers to first base means you MIGHT just want to have him around for 4-5 years an an option. What would that cost? $15m a year? Would you give Jefers $60-75m to stay with the Twins? Would he consider taking it?

[High heat]

This is the move, trade Caritini offer Jeffers the qualifying offer in off season.  Jeffers and Jackson the rest of the way.  
 

If Jeffers declines offer you can go get another FA catcher in offseason that’s a ‘27 problem.

[terrydactyls]

2 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Recency bias - should a team that struggles against the A’s and Royals be in buyer mode?

The 2025 and 2026 seasons are certainly not recency bias,  I agree with you that they need to think of 2027 and beyond.  Trade all expiring contracts.

[terrydactyls]

55 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

Which might not be as much as you think.  AND at the end of the day maybe we don't sign him.  That happens.  Teams lose free agents.  NOT the end of the world.  You might be content to see a catcher with a .900 OPS in the dugout on the other side of the field come October.  I"m not.

The view from my TV is perfectly fine.  And if the Twins aren't in the playoffs, I'm very content.  And who cares what player is sitting in the dugout?

[terrydactyls]

8 minutes ago, High heat said:

This is the move, trade Caritini offer Jeffers the qualifying offer in off season.  Jeffers and Jackson the rest of the way.  
 

If Jeffers declines offer you can go get another FA catcher in offseason that’s a ‘27 problem.

That's a '27 problem?  That's an every year problem.  There hasn't been anyone in the Twins FO who was forward looking.  Maybe Tom Pohlad will be different.  The trade deadline and the upcoming off season will provide the answer.  (Sounds like a magic 8-Ball saying - all will be revealed later.)