The 7 Biggest Decisions for the Twins' Offseason: Should They Try to Bring Ryan Jeffers Back?

[Riverbrian]

6 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

The problem is, that's not the real question. It's not about whether bringing back Jeffers and spending $30M on catching in 2027 makes the team "better" than 2026, it's about whether that's better than Caratini and Jackson as your catching combo or praying that Lackey is ready by midseason to be a starting MLB catcher. It's about there not being much else on the FA market for catchers that is going to raise the level much past the uninspiring Caratini/Jackson combo.

No, running it back at catcher next season isn't likely to improve the team...but how much worse do we get with Caratini/Jackson as our catchers next season and not having Jeffers' RH bat in the lineup?

The best opportunities to improve the team from 2026 is in player development with prospects like Jenkins, Culpepper, Rodriguez, Roden, etc. Keaschall not having a terrible start to the season. Lee taking another step forward. Investing in the bullpen (there's actual options on the FA market there).

Would I be happier with Jeffers/Jackson as the catching pairing and not be carrying Caratini's contract for another season? Sure. But we made a bet (and a not unreasonable one) that Caratini would be good enough to bridge us at catcher until prospects like Tait might be read. We probably lost that bet because Caratini has been so bad at the plate. But we're not actually stuck with that decision if we're willing to spend the money, and in this FA market, trying to run Jeffers back on a 3-4 year deal is actually an impact signing.

Probably won't happen anyways; Yankees might offer him $100M+ on a 4-5 year deal and he'd be crazy not to take it. But I'd rather spend money on Jeffers and 2 high leverage relievers than 1B/2B/DH (plus relief) in this market.

I agree with a lot of what your saying. 

In my opinion... Jeffers/Caratini next year does not make the team better. It makes it the same because we had them both last year and spending 23 million on Jeffers means Lewis at 1B because Jeffers will take consideration of Bauers or someone who can hit the ball off the table. This means Lewis at 1B is the same. Clemens at 2B... the same. 

All eggs will be in one basket. Culpepper, Emma, Jenkins will have to lead us to glory. Our improvement from 2026 to 2027 will rely upon Culpepper, Keaschall, Emma, Jenkins, Lee being exactly what we need them to be. 

Don't get me wrong... development is the way forward. I want Lee, Keaschall, Culpepper, Emma, Jenkins to lead us to glory but I'd sure like Bauers in the lineup with them. 

Cant' get Bauers and Jeffers. It won't happen no matter what Tom Pohlad says about investing. This team will invest more money... I believe it but there is a limit... there is always a limit. 

Do keep this in mind... I could be right... I could be wrong but reading between the lines. With Tom stating publicly that we will go for it in 2027. There is a good chance Larnach is retained. Probably play DH so Emma can play OF and we know Emma will be on the roster. If Tom is going for it. Your 5 OF's will be Buxton, Keaschall, Emma, Larnach and Martin.

This will put Jenkins in St. Paul to start the season barring injury. That's not my plan but that is a possible scenario with the declaration of going for it.