- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,198,919
- Reaction score
- 59
The Minnesota Twins are looking like sellers at this year's trade deadline. There is a chance the team decides to move some lower-tier players for big-league contributors while also calling up some of their top prospects. The Twins are only four games under .500 and four games back of first place in the American League Central, keeping them in a gray area.
However, more likely than not, they will ship off pieces. With center fielder Byron Buxton presumably off the board given he has made it clear he is not willing to waive his no-trade clause and ownership does not want to move him, that leaves catcher Ryan Jeffers as the most obvious trade candidate.
His path to being dealt has been complicated, though, due to a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist that forced him to undergo surgery back in May. Fortunately, he took a major step forward in returning to game action on Friday.
"Ryan Jeffers is starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul. He'll be in the Saints' lineup at designated hitter tonight, about six weeks after surgery on a fractured left hamate bone," wrote Twins reporter Aaron Gleeman on X.
Given how much time Jeffers has missed, he will likely need at least a week of rehab games at the Triple-A level before making his way back to the starting lineup. But when he does, it will be a massive boost for the Twins and will also clarify his trade value heading into the deadline.
Across 37 games before the injury, the 29-year-old backstop was one of the best hitters in the league, posting a .295 batting average, .408 on-base percentage, .949 OPS, seven home runs and 26 RBIs.
While those numbers are likely not fully sustainable, Jeffers has been an above-average hitter for four straight seasons when healthy. Given how few quality catchers are available via trade, he would certainly fetch a nice prospect package in return even with him entering unrestricted free agency after this season.
Trading Jeffers will not be easy for the fan base considering he has spent his entire seven-year career in Minnesota and has never been with another organization. The Twins selected Jeffers in 2018. But it may be necessary for a team that needs to continue stockpiling young talent.
The Twins also have Victor Caratini signed for another year after this one, and he has been more than serviceable behind the plate during Jeffers' absence, giving Minnesota a capable option no matter what direction they go at the deadline.
Continue reading...
However, more likely than not, they will ship off pieces. With center fielder Byron Buxton presumably off the board given he has made it clear he is not willing to waive his no-trade clause and ownership does not want to move him, that leaves catcher Ryan Jeffers as the most obvious trade candidate.
His path to being dealt has been complicated, though, due to a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist that forced him to undergo surgery back in May. Fortunately, he took a major step forward in returning to game action on Friday.
"Ryan Jeffers is starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul. He'll be in the Saints' lineup at designated hitter tonight, about six weeks after surgery on a fractured left hamate bone," wrote Twins reporter Aaron Gleeman on X.
Given how much time Jeffers has missed, he will likely need at least a week of rehab games at the Triple-A level before making his way back to the starting lineup. But when he does, it will be a massive boost for the Twins and will also clarify his trade value heading into the deadline.
Across 37 games before the injury, the 29-year-old backstop was one of the best hitters in the league, posting a .295 batting average, .408 on-base percentage, .949 OPS, seven home runs and 26 RBIs.
While those numbers are likely not fully sustainable, Jeffers has been an above-average hitter for four straight seasons when healthy. Given how few quality catchers are available via trade, he would certainly fetch a nice prospect package in return even with him entering unrestricted free agency after this season.
Trading Jeffers will not be easy for the fan base considering he has spent his entire seven-year career in Minnesota and has never been with another organization. The Twins selected Jeffers in 2018. But it may be necessary for a team that needs to continue stockpiling young talent.
The Twins also have Victor Caratini signed for another year after this one, and he has been more than serviceable behind the plate during Jeffers' absence, giving Minnesota a capable option no matter what direction they go at the deadline.
Continue reading...
