Ryan Jeffers may be on the move this winter, but he’s not closing the door on Minnesota just yet.
After the Twins wrapped up their season with a 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday, Jeffers gave off a few hints that the end of the year had landed harder than he wanted to admit. He finished the game with two hits, a walk and an RBI, and starting pitcher Dean Kremer made sure to praise him afterward. Then came a long hug with owner Tom Pohlad as Jeffers headed off the field.
Back in the clubhouse, Jeffers had his 14-month-old son, Hayes, with him, sitting on the floor and coaxing the toddler to walk toward him. Even with all of that swirling around, he still tried to keep the moment from turning into a full emotional release.
Before his on-field interview with Twins sideline reporter Audra Martin, Jeffers asked that she avoid questions about his future.
“I probably would not have been able to get many words out,” Jeffers said. “I haven’t calmed down enough to let it soak in yet.
I will. I know I will be able to sit in my locker and go sit on the field once it calms down out there and take it in.”
That future is now the big question. Jeffers is headed into free agency as the top catcher available, and there’s a strong chance he lands somewhere other than Minnesota. The Twins are expected to make him a one-year, $23 million qualifying offer, which would give them draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.
Jeffers also drew trade interest before the deadline, with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees among the teams that had a look. Minnesota held onto him instead, hoping to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
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