Ryan Jeffers’ future was the biggest topic around the Twins Daily forums this week, with plenty of attention also going to the Rule 5 Draft and the possibility of a Joe Ryan trade before a potential lockout.
Jeffers is expected to turn down the Twins’ $23.15 million qualifying offer, and that set off a wide-ranging discussion about what he might get on the open market. Some posters pegged him near $70 million, while others argued his defensive issues and age make him closer to $15 million per year.
The front office also drew criticism from members who took issue with the idea that there is no salary cap. Even with the uncertainty, the thinking in the thread leaned toward the Twins making a multiyear offer, in part because it could still lead to a compensatory draft pick if Jeffers signs elsewhere.
Dan Hayes reported that Minnesota may try to work out a multiyear deal with Jeffers, and that only sharpened the debate. A number of posters said a three-year contract worth somewhere between $45 million and $50 million would make sense if the goal is to keep him or at least preserve draft-pick value.
Others pushed back on the idea of a four-year commitment, pointing to the defensive concerns and the possibility that prospect Ryan Lackey could be part of the picture soon. The general feeling was that a shorter deal is the safer route.
The Rule 5 Draft also came up, especially with the MLB collective bargaining agreement set to expire on December 1. That possibility raised the chance the draft could be canceled, which would make the Twins’ protection decisions simpler.
Most posters felt no position players deserved a 40-man roster spot, saying teams such as the Reds or Athletics were not likely to claim them anyway. Paulshawn Pasqualotto and CJ Culpepper were mentioned as possible protections, but the broader view was that the organization does not have any immediate 2 WAR threats.
Several members said the open roster space would be better used on free agents than on minor-league players.
Joe Ryan’s name surfaced in two separate trade discussions. Bob Nightengale’s suggestion that the Twins should move Ryan before a possible lockout sparked disagreement over whether the club should sell now or keep him.
Some posters saw it as another example of fence-straddling if the team lets Jeffers walk while moving Ryan, while others said a trade could bring back a young catcher and bullpen help. The board’s overall view was that it makes sense to at least listen, though there was no agreement on whether Minnesota can spend enough to keep its core intact.
Then Jon Morosi reported that Ryan is unlikely to be traded before the December 2 lockout, which shifted the conversation again. Regulars questioned whether owner Tom Pritzker is more focused on winning now or on adding prospect capital, especially with Ryan’s value potentially at its peak.
Others said the uncertainty around the CBA makes the market harder to read, while some defended the idea of keeping Ryan on a team that could contend for the playoffs. A separate thread also agreed that putting J.B.
Walker Jenkins and Matt Rodriguez on the 40-man roster was the right call, even with the possibility of lockout-related disruption.
In Other News...
Twins Just Lost A Power Bat Their Outfield Picture Could Need
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Rosario had built a reputation as a legitimate power threat in the minors, highlighted by a Midwest League MVP season in 2023 and a win in the Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby. For the Twins, it is another reminder of how quickly organizational depth can shift, especially with an outfield mix that could still use more thump. [Read more 🡒]
Twins First Base Plan Just Got More Complicated For 2027
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Royce Lewis is still the favorite to handle first base for now, but his recent struggles have kept the conversation open. If the Twins decide they need outside help, Ty France is a familiar option after a strong 2026 season, while Paul Goldschmidt would bring veteran certainty on what figures to be a shorter-term deal. For a team looking for stability, the market just got a little thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Face A Lineup Question That Could Define This Offseason
The Twins are spending this offseason with their attention squarely on the lineup, and for good reason. Minnesota could be staring at potential losses in Josh Bell and Ryan Jeffers, which puts even more pressure on the front office to find ways to keep the offense moving in the right direction. General manager Jeremy Zoll has already made clear that supplementing the bats is part of the plan, not a luxury, as the club tries to avoid entering next season thin in the middle of the order.
There is also a longer view to consider, because the Twins want more from their young core as the calendar turns toward 2027. Kaelen Culpepper, Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are all expected to matter more in that picture, but the organization cannot simply wait on development and hope the power comes with it. Minnesota finished with 187 home runs in 2026, and adding more punch is shaping up as one of the defining tasks of the winter. [Read more 🡒]