Passan: Ryan Jeffers Could Be Traded in a Big League-for-Big League Deal

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins continue to insist they plan to improve their roster ahead of Monday's MLB trade deadline, but that doesn't necessarily mean only adding players. ESPN insider Jeff Passan believes Minnesota could still move one of its most valuable trade chips if the right major league return is available.

General manager Jeremy Zoll reiterated before Tuesday's game that the Twins intend to add, with bullpen help remaining the organization's top priority. That stance hasn't changed, but Passan believes the front office is prepared to be flexible if a deal strengthens the current roster.

Jeffers is the Twins' Top Trade Asset

In his latest deadline preview, Passan identified catcher Ryan Jeffers as Minnesota's best trade asset. While Jeffers has spent months at the center of trade speculation, Passan doesn't believe the Twins are interested in moving him simply to add prospects.

"Jeffers still could go, but just not necessarily for prospects," Passan wrote. "If there's a big league-for-big league trade to execute, Minnesota won't hesitate."

That distinction is significant. The Twins have repeatedly emphasized that they expect to compete this season. Rather than subtracting from the major league roster, dealing Jeffers for an established bullpen arm (or multiple major league contributors) would allow Minnesota to address a weakness without taking a step backward.

Bullpen Remains the Clear Priority

Passan listed two of Minnesota's biggest needs as adding a swing-and-miss reliever and another hard-throwing bullpen arm. That aligns with what Zoll has said publicly.

Despite an encouraging stretch to begin the second half, the Twins' bullpen has spent much of the season near the bottom of baseball. While the overall ERA has started trending in the right direction, Minnesota still lacks the type of dominant late-inning arms that contenders often acquire before the deadline.

With several clubs expected to shop proven relievers over the next few days, the Twins appear focused on finding upgrades that can make an immediate impact.

Why Jeffers and Larnach Still Make Sense

Passan also noted that Jeffers and Trevor Larnach remain logical trade candidates because of Minnesota's organizational depth.

"Jeffers and outfielder Trevor Larnach... remain in play," Passan wrote. "Minnesota won't trade anyone just for the sake of trading them."

The Twins have one of baseball's deepest collections of young position players. Walker Jenkins is waiting in Triple-A and projects to become an everyday corner outfielder in the near future, while Victor Caratini gives Minnesota another experienced catching option if Jeffers were moved. That depth gives the front office flexibility to deal from positions of strength if it means addressing a more pressing need.

The Balancing Act

Passan also acknowledged the difficult position Minnesota finds itself in. With half of Major League Baseball hovering around .500, every loss carries extra weight. A short losing streak can dramatically alter the standings and change how aggressive a front office chooses to be.

Rather than making moves simply because ownership wants the team to compete, Passan believes the Twins will remain disciplined. They'll pursue upgrades, but only if the value is right.

That approach could ultimately lead to one of the more intriguing possibilities of trade deadline season, a rare big-league-for-big-league swap centered around Jeffers. If the Twins can turn a position of organizational strength into immediate bullpen help, they may accomplish both goals at once: improve the 2026 roster while avoiding mortgaging the future.

View full rumor

[nicksaviking]

A reliever? They better not.

It's already clear this team has zero clue what to look for in other team's relievers. Multi-year track record, with multiple teams, good velocity, good strikeout and good walk numbers. They always zero in on some flash in the pan, small-sample-size hero and think that a few dozen innings of results this year are any kind of reflection of the player's ability.

[Mike Sixel]

22 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

A reliever? They better not.

It's already clear this team has zero clue what to look for in other team's relievers. Multi-year track record, with multiple teams, good velocity, good strikeout and good walk numbers. They always zero in on some flash in the pan, small-sample-size hero and think that a few dozen innings of results this year are any kind of reflection of the players ability.

Agreed. Get great prospects. Make trades in the off-season from prospect depth. 

[Coach]

One Team's inessentials can become another team's essentials.  Jeffers and Larnach should bring back a quality pitcher or two and possibly some prospects thrown in.  Ya listening Yanks?

[DataNerd]

1 hour ago, Coach said:

One Team's inessentials can become another team's essentials.  Jeffers and Larnach should bring back a quality pitcher or two and possibly some prospects thrown in.  Ya listening Yanks?

Yankees don't want Larnach.  They have a left-handed DH, 2 left-handed starting OF and Judge who will never be benched in the playoffs.  They are desperate for guys who can hit LHP, which Larnach absolutely can't do.  It's also why they really want Jeffers because he can DH against RHP when he isn't catching.

[David HK]

50 minutes ago, DataNerd said:

Yankees don't want Larnach.  They have a left-handed DH, 2 left-handed starting OF and Judge who will never be benched in the playoffs.  They are desperate for guys who can hit LHP, which Larnach absolutely can't do.  It's also why they really want Jeffers because he can DH against RHP when he isn't catching.

Yes, unlike the Twinks, they know when they're full up on plodding LH corner outfielders.  At least enough not to trade a strong young closer for one. 

[Dman]

At least they are acknowledging trading from surplus makes sense.  With Ryan slumping it would seem Jeffers and Larnach are the only pieces they could legitimately sell if going for it or not.

[TheLeviathan]

I stand by the idea that you deal Jeffers to New York for something like Ben Hess and a Brandon Beck.

Two near ready arms one of which is a for sure RP guy if he has any future (Beck) and another who could be a good candidate.  Might be too rich for NYY but start there.

[twinfan]

Repeated by me.

I think this week has told us we just don't have a very good team. There are some like Clemens having an ok year but they can't be counted on going forward. Clemens would be good utility but NOT a cleanup hitter. Time to make some deals and shoot for next year and beyond. Let's not kid ourselves any longer. Keep the starters we have and let's get some good players. Let's also bring up the top kids to see what they can do. Yuck!

•  
•  
• Quote

[Mike Sixel]

34 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

I stand by the idea that you deal Jeffers to New York for something like Ben Hess and a Brandon Beck.

Two near ready arms one of which is a for sure RP guy if he has any future (Beck) and another who could be a good candidate.  Might be too rich for NYY but start there.

I've been saying similar. 

[DataNerd]

36 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

I stand by the idea that you deal Jeffers to New York for something like Ben Hess and a Brandon Beck.

Two near ready arms one of which is a for sure RP guy if he has any future (Beck) and another who could be a good candidate.  Might be too rich for NYY but start there.

Beck is the type of guy that we should be going for as a throw in.  He's 27 and questionable if he can stick at RP, but our BP depth is nonexistent so we have innings to see if he can figure it out.

[Whammy]

5 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

A reliever? They better not.

It's already clear this team has zero clue what to look for in other team's relievers. Multi-year track record, with multiple teams, good velocity, good strikeout and good walk numbers. They always zero in on some flash in the pan, small-sample-size hero and think that a few dozen innings of results this year are any kind of reflection of the player's ability.

You’re not wrong, but I think that’s just the nature of relievers and a reason why the Twins never seemingly mind trading them away for prospects. 

[nicksaviking]

59 minutes ago, amjgt said:

You’re not wrong, but I think that’s just the nature of relievers and a reason why the Twins never seemingly mind trading them away for prospects. 

I think it's the nature of other team's relievers. I think when they're already in house and have been here a year or so, you have a significantly better idea of when, how and if to use them.

[LA Vikes Fan]

You can do both - get what we need longer term and get help for this year's big league club. Jeffers and a very good prospect plus a solid prospect (think Emma plus Ryan Gallagher types) to Seattle for Emerson Hancock and Jose Ferrer. They get a desperately needed RH bat and protection from Cal Raleigh's .167 average and .576 OPS for this year, plus one impact prospect that should be playing every day by 2027 and another than could provide value soon. We get a #3 or #4 type starter plus a LH 26 year old reliever with at 97-98 MPH FB and good secondary pitches.  Everybody wins.  

[LA Vikes Fan]

By the way, Baseball Trade Values rates Jeffers and Emma for Hancock and Ferrer as a very even swap. Also rates Emma for Hancock as an even swap. Just food for thought. 

[tony&rodney]

The Yankees are not trading guys from their 26 roster and I'm not in on their prospects. The Rays, Seattle, LAD, or another team might pay up.

[Patzky]

Seeing the Orioles got Jake Rogers from Detroit .. makes me wonder if Adley Rutschman is on the block.

[Historyking88]

Jeffers for Headrick and Lagrange. You get a really good ready now lefty for the bullpen and another top prospect who can help the rotation or bullpen now as well. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

If they do trade Jeffers now, regardless of return, they had better have another deal in place for a right handed hitting middle of the order type bat to come back and replace. That is, if they do want to actually try for the playoffs.

For example, if Houston decides to sell and we can get Isaac Paredes from them, then I'd be more open to listening on Jeffers now. 

I also wouldn't prioritize Ben Hess in a deal, and I like him. I just do want SOME of the focus to be on the remainder of 2026. Or at least, that's what Tom and Jeremy Zoll have been saying all year. To sell Jeffers for a prospect return now would go against everything they've been saying, but I can see him doing a prospect return IF other moves are also happening.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

You can do both - get what we need longer term and get help for this year's big league club. Jeffers and a very good prospect plus a solid prospect (think Emma plus Ryan Gallagher types) to Seattle for Emerson Hancock and Jose Ferrer. They get a desperately needed RH bat and protection from Cal Raleigh's .167 average and .576 OPS for this year, plus one impact prospect that should be playing every day by 2027 and another than could provide value soon. We get a #3 or #4 type starter plus a LH 26 year old reliever with at 97-98 MPH FB and good secondary pitches.  Everybody wins.  

If Team wants to try & acquire Hancock they need to win 2 of 3 this weekend & take some wind out of the Mariner’s sails…….step on their throat as they say. Acquiring Hancock could displace Prielipp (or Matthews) into the bullpen…………maybe Robby Ray for Roden & Mendez & a young arm??

Matthews or Prielipp - Rojas - Funderburk - Rogers - Anderson - Morris - Gomez - Nance

Nance & Adams need to be displaced IMO, I think organization likes Nance better than Anderson.

Their low performer is Luis Castillo but he is too expensive to trade and not effective enough this year to get much interest.

………was watching tonight’s game here in Cincinnati………do I dare say Emilio Pagan?? It’s kind of like saying Lord V’s name in Harry Potter…….don’t dare do it😂 ….. experienced - throws hard - swing & miss stuff.😉 Cincinnati is out of it and they typically like shedding salary ……… Tito Francona might veto? He’s got a $10M player option for ‘27 & still owed $3.3M for remainder of ‘26. “The Devil you know……”

[JD-TWINS]

18 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

If they do trade Jeffers now, regardless of return, they had better have another deal in place for a right handed hitting middle of the order type bat to come back and replace. That is, if they do want to actually try for the playoffs.

For example, if Houston decides to sell and we can get Isaac Paredes from them, then I'd be more open to listening on Jeffers now. 

I also wouldn't prioritize Ben Hess in a deal, and I like him. I just do want SOME of the focus to be on the remainder of 2026. Or at least, that's what Tom and Jeremy Zoll have been saying all year. To sell Jeffers for a prospect return now would go against everything they've been saying, but I can see him doing a prospect return IF other moves are also happening.

Potentially can take a prospect in a Jeffers trade and flip them with Twin’s assets for the real MLB ready guy Team wants.

I like trading Caratini instead - he’s $10M next year with his ‘28 buyout included. He’s got experience - he’s a decent offensive player & switch hitter - can play some 1B in addition to catching. He’s has another year under contract……. Vic with a prospect(s) should yield a decent reliever.

Keep Jeffers and wow the Giants to acquire Arraez……offense, …… “check.”

Btw, Jeffers hung in the dugout after essentially everyone else, taking it ALL IN ……. stark realization that might be his last home game at Target.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Patzky said:

Seeing the Orioles got Jake Rogers from Detroit .. makes me wonder if Adley Rutschman is on the block.

The other young Catcher (Bassalo?) is hurt & on IL ……….as a second reason to get an experienced Catcher. Rutschman has been mentioned on the MLB Network in trade buzz.

[Cory Engelhardt]

11 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Potentially can take a prospect in a Jeffers trade and flip them with Twin’s assets for the real MLB ready guy Team wants.

I like trading Caratini instead - he’s $10M next year with his ‘28 buyout included. He’s got experience - he’s a decent offensive player & switch hitter - can play some 1B in addition to catching. He’s has another year under contract……. Vic with a prospect(s) should yield a decent reliever.

Keep Jeffers and wow the Giants to acquire Arraez……offense, …… “check.”

Btw, Jeffers hung in the dugout after essentially everyone else, taking it ALL IN ……. stark realization that might be his last home game at Target.

I don't know that I want an overpay for Arraez to come back. Someone else will probably offer more, and that's ok with me. I'd prefer a middle of the order type more. 

I hope they are active this deadline.

[DataNerd]

3 hours ago, Patzky said:

Seeing the Orioles got Jake Rogers from Detroit .. makes me wonder if Adley Rutschman is on the block.

With Adley on the IL currently, their 2 catchers have wRC+ of 36 and -13 for the season.  Rogers' 61 is an upgrade, but there is no way this is anything more than trying to get someone not atrocious.

[dxpavelka]

Any chance of moving him for a catcher with a .900 OPS?

 

[tlkriens]

20 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

A reliever? They better not.

It's already clear this team has zero clue what to look for in other team's relievers. Multi-year track record, with multiple teams, good velocity, good strikeout and good walk numbers. They always zero in on some flash in the pan, small-sample-size hero and think that a few dozen innings of results this year are any kind of reflection of the player's ability.

I guess Tommy Nance was been ok since getting him from Toronto. Yoendrys Gómez has been plenty good since being picked off the scrap heap from Tampa Bay. I's sure A.J. Minter will be fine. This year, they seemed to have figured it out.

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I don't know that I want an overpay for Arraez to come back. Someone else will probably offer more, and that's ok with me. I'd prefer a middle of the order type more. 

I hope they are active this deadline.

I know nearly everyone will disagree but I don’t see Luis as a top of order guy. I’d slot him behind Buxton in the 3 hole or behind Lewis, hitting 5th or 6th. ………he FITS the “hit with RISP” profile the Twins have been using all year.

He’s great protection for free swingers with some pop. He’s slow and can be bat to ball clutch with guys in base …….move him back where he can help with the guy in front of him.

No reason to get outbid - it’s a choice. He solidifies the offense & 2B, allowing Clemens to play corner OF routinely.

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I don't know that I want an overpay for Arraez to come back. Someone else will probably offer more, and that's ok with me. I'd prefer a middle of the order type more. 

I hope they are active this deadline.

I know there are a lot of fish in the sea but who is the middle of the order guy that’s available, AND hits over .240? We have Matt Wallner at AAA - don’t want that type anywhere near the roster.

[mluebker]

10 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

If they do trade Jeffers now, regardless of return, they had better have another deal in place for a right handed hitting middle of the order type bat to come back and replace.

If they didn’t already have him on the roster, they’d be thrilled to trade for him as a short-term rental right-handed-hitting middle-of-the-order bat for a playoff run. So maybe just keep him and pretend that’s what he is.

[mluebker]

10 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Keep Jeffers and wow the Giants to acquire Arraez…

Sounds good to me.