The Phillies just made a move that should ease some nerves in Minnesota.
After swirling rumors linked the Philadelphia Phillies to Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers as a potential replacement for free-agent J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies have taken a different route - and it’s one Twins fans will welcome.
Philadelphia re-signed Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million deal, with incentives that could add another $5 million annually. That contract locks up their catching situation through 2028 and, more importantly for Minnesota, takes Jeffers off the immediate trade rumor mill.
Why this matters for the Twins
Had the Phillies gone all-in on Jeffers, it would’ve created a serious void behind the plate in Minnesota. The internal fallback option, Alex Jackson, profiles more as a serviceable backup than a full-time starter. While he brings some tools to the table, asking him to carry the load over a 162-game season would be a tall order.
With Realmuto back in red pinstripes, the Twins retain a key piece of their roster - at least for now. Jeffers, who turns 29 this season, is under team control through 2026.
That gives Minnesota a two-year window to either extend him or explore trade possibilities if the team falls out of contention. But if the Twins want to stay competitive in the near term, keeping Jeffers around should be a priority.
A bat that plays - especially at catcher
Jeffers has quietly become one of the more productive offensive catchers in the league. Over the past three seasons, he’s posted an OPS+ north of 100 - a mark that puts him above league average, and that’s no small feat for a position where offense is often a bonus. He’s shown the ability to drive the ball with power and get on base at a respectable clip, giving Minnesota a legitimate threat in the lower half of the lineup.
Yes, there are concerns defensively. From 2023 to 2025, Jeffers racked up -14 framing runs, a stat that measures how well a catcher “steals” strikes for his pitchers.
That’s not ideal, but context matters. With the league’s implementation of the ABS Challenge System - which allows teams to challenge balls and strikes using automated technology - the value of elite pitch framing is starting to decline.
In other words, Jeffers’ defensive shortcomings behind the plate might not hurt the Twins as much as they once would have.
Looking down the line - and inside the system
Of course, not everyone in Twins Territory is sold on the idea of extending Jeffers. There’s a wave of young catching talent rising through the system, and it’s easy to see why fans are excited. Eduardo Tait, acquired from the Phillies in the Jhoan Durán deal last July, and Enrique Jimenez, who came over from Detroit in exchange for Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak, both project as potential long-term answers behind the plate.
But here’s the thing: Tait is just 19. Jimenez is 20.
As promising as they are, neither is likely to be MLB-ready for at least a couple more seasons. That puts the Twins in a bit of a limbo.
Do they roll the dice on internal development and risk a gap at a critical position? Or do they lock in a proven big-league catcher who’s already shown he can contribute on both sides of the ball?
The case for an extension
There’s a strong argument for keeping Jeffers around. He’s not just productive - he’s also well-liked by the fanbase and respected in the clubhouse.
For a team that’s trying to stay relevant in the AL Central while developing young talent, having a steady hand behind the plate matters. And with the catching market always thin, players like Jeffers don’t come around often.
The Phillies’ decision to bring back Realmuto has given the Twins a reprieve. But the clock is still ticking.
If Minnesota is serious about contending - not just in 2026, but beyond - extending Ryan Jeffers should be on the table. Because while the future may be bright, the present still needs a catcher who can handle the grind - and Jeffers has already proven he’s up to the task.