Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers rejects the qualifying offer, confirming the team’s expectation and keeping him a top free‑agent target. Jeffers, 30, posted a .256/.353/.461 line with 14 homers despite a hamate fracture, and MLB Trade Rumors projects a four‑year, $75 million deal, likening him to Willson Contreras. Minnesota, with only Victor Caratini on the 40‑man roster and several catching prospects, plans to negotiate a multi‑year contract but is prepared to explore alternatives if Jeffers walks. The club would earn a compensatory pick after the first round if he signs elsewhere for $50 million or more.
The Minnesota Twins made the first move of their offseason, and now it looks like catcher Ryan Jeffers has an answer.
Here's a Minnesota Twins news roundup during the 2026 Major League Baseball General Manager Meetings.
Twins GM Jeremy Zoll repeatedly shuts down trade rumors about 32‑year‑old star Byron Buxton. On MLB Network Radio, Zoll emphasized that both the club and Buxton want him to stay, noting the player’s recent hip surgery and his 2026 stats—.254 average, 25 homers, 46 RBIs in 93 games. While a trade could happen if Buxton waives his no‑trade clause, Zoll says no plans exist to move him, especially after the Twins finished 77‑85, third in the AL Central. The GM’s comments underscore a mutual commitment to keep Buxton in Minnesota.
The San Francisco Giants are poised to hire Yankees hitting coach James Rowson as their new offensive coordinator, a role that oversees hitting, baserunning and situational strategy. Rowson, a Mount Vernon native, served as the Yankees’ hitting coach from 2024‑2026 after six seasons as a minor‑league hitting coordinator and stints with the Cubs, Twins, Detroit and as the Marlins’ bench coach. The Giants, who ranked near the bottom in key offensive metrics last season (23rd in wRC+, 30th in walk rate), hope Rowson can replicate the Yankees’ success—second in MLB OPS (.757) and league‑leading walk rate (10.2%). Reports cite former Yankees adviser Brian Sabean may have advocated for the hire.
The Minnesota Twins are set to sign right‑hander Jose Espada to a minor‑league deal, according to Jon Heyman. Espada spent 2026 with Triple‑A Norfolk, posting a 2.77 ERA over 48⅔ innings, recording eight saves but struggling with a 12.7% walk rate. He has three MLB appearances in four years, most recently a scoreless ninth inning in a doubleheader against the Astros. With the Twins’ bullpen still in flux after adding Jeff Hoffman, Tommy Nance and A.J. Minter last summer, Espada could earn a spring‑training role.
Former Minnesota Twins reliever Emilio Pagán signed a deal with an AL Central rival during the GM Meetings.
The Minnesota Twins needed some bullpen depth, leading them to sign interesting 29-year-old RHP Jose Espada to a minor league deal.
The Minnesota Twins are working to re‑sign catcher Ryan Jeffers, who has less than a week to decide on a $23 million qualifying offer. Though Jeffers is expected to decline, the club remains “engaged” in talks and may bring him back, similar to past QO reject scenarios. Jeffers posted a career‑best .256/.353/.461 line with 14 homers and a 128 wRC+ in 2026, despite a May hamate fracture that limited his season to 14 games after the trade deadline. The Twins also have Victor Caratini on the roster but are eyeing young prospects like Vahn Lackey, while a potential free‑agent deal could net them a compensatory pick.
The Minnesota Twins have bolstered their bullpen depth by signing a veteran minor-league reliever.
The Minnesota Twins already made one offer to their free-agent catcher this month. It might not be the last one the team makes to Ryan Jeffers.
Ahead of the Winter Meetings, Yankees GM Brian Cashman says Aaron Judge will likely need designated‑hitter duty in 2027 to protect his health after a moderate‑grade right calf (soleus) strain on Sept. 16 against the Twins that cost him the postseason. Judge, who also recovered from a rib stress fracture, wants to play every day, but the front office stresses durability. The club is also scouting external help, including Japanese pitcher Shoki Oda, as it reshapes a roster still reeling from injuries to Judge and Max Fried and seeks to end its championship drought.
The Minnesota Twins should pursue right-handed reliever Zack Kelly, whom the Boston Red Sox recently released.
Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach is set for arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist this week, GM Jeremy Zoll says. The procedure, described as a minor “cleanup,” follows a wrist sprain that sidelined Larnach for the last two weeks of the season and left lingering soreness in offseason training. While the surgery may not affect Spring Training, it could hurt his trade value—he was a likely candidate for a deal with the Astros for reliever Bryan Abreu that fell through. Larnach, a 2018 first‑round pick, posted a .284/.365/.454 line last year and is projected to earn $6.3 million in arbitration.
Jeffers has until November 17 to accept or decline the $23 million qualifying offer, but the Twins aren't waiting until then to express interest in a reunion.
The Minnesota Vikings' attempt to push against their ceiling should warn the Minnesota Twins to lean into their future.
The Minnesota Vikings have traded for quarterback Kirk Cousins, giving up their original 2027 third‑round pick. The author reflects on how the "Kirko Chainz" meme that sprang up during Cousins' first stint with the team quickly grew stale, arguing that such jokes should be retired before they become cringe‑worthy. Drawing parallels to past Minnesota sports lore—like the Twins' short‑lived "Bomba Squad" chants—the piece urges fans to let the meme die and make room for fresh, lasting traditions.
MLB Trade Rumors and columnist Jeff Jones report that the St. Louis Cardinals are actively pursuing a reunion with reliever JoJo Romero, and sources say Romero is equally interested. Romero, 30, posted a 3.36 ERA over 55 games for St. Louis before his 2025 World Series run with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he posted a 1.13 ERA in eight postseason appearances. He is projected to seek a two‑year, $13 million deal despite a history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2022. The Brewers, Twins and Giants may also chase him, but a decision could come before the end of November ahead of the December 1 work stoppage.
Will the Minnesota Twins make any trades during the 2026 General Manager Meetings?
The Minnesota Twins have plenty of options to choose from if Ryan Jeffers leaves in free agency.
The Minnesota Twins traded Hicks to the New York Yankees during the 2015 General Manager Meetings.
The Minnesota Twins snag two Silver Slugger nominations—second‑base star Kody Clemens (27 homers, leading AL second basemen) and a team nod for Offensive Team of the Year—though they face stiff competition as they don’t top any league categories. The post also highlights recent Twins coverage on Twinkie Town, including a baseball movie night, analysis of the team’s outfield depth, MLB lockout implications, and offseason free‑agent targets, plus broader baseball news on CBA salary‑cap talks, BBWAA award predictions, and NPB posting rules.
If the Twins trade star right-hander Joe Ryan before the lockout, it likely wouldn't be for prospects.
On August 4, 2026, the Kansas City Royals hosted the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium, pulling off a 4-3 win behind starter Randy Dobnak and a hot line‑up featuring Carter Jensen, Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone, who reached base seven times combined. Beyond the game, the piece reflects on the relentless human effort that powers professional baseball—from parking staff and food vendors to front‑office figures like GM JJ Picollo—highlighting the stark contrast between fan choice and the unavoidable responsibilities of teams’ decision‑makers. The author admits the article was delayed, noting the win offered only a brief lift for a club still 20 games under .500, and mulls the challenges of staying objective when covering a beloved franchise.
Baseball America’s Hot Sheet ranks the ten hottest Arizona Fall League prospects for the week of Nov. 9, 2026. Leading the list is Royals outfielder Zion Rose (Surprise Saguaros), who posted a .429/.600/.857 line, six steals and five walks in 20 PA. Guardians shortstop Welbyn Francisca (Surprise) tops the AFL batting race at .419, while Braves left‑hander Briggs McKenzie (Glendale) logs a league‑leading 20.2 innings with a 1‑0, four‑scoreless‑inning start. Cardinals outfielder Tai Peete (Peoria) ties the AFL single‑game steal record with four and goes strikeout‑free in 16 PA, making him an MVP candidate. Twins utility Kyle DeBarge (Salt River) shows rare power, belting a 392‑foot homer at 103 mph. The weekly Hot Sheet highlights these performances and previews the Tuesday YouTube Hot Sheet Show.