Red Sox Surprisingly Pursuing Longtime Twins Catcher
New York Post insider Jon Heyman reported that Boston has emerged as a “surprise pursuer of star free agent catcher Ryan Jeffers,” who just wrapped up his career with the Minnesota Twins.
It’s an unexpected twist given what Boston did at the trade deadline.
Rutschman Already In Boston
The Red Sox made one of the biggest splashes of the summer when they acquired Adley Rutschman and Jake Rogers from the Baltimore Orioles.
Boston paid a hefty price, sending top pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfield prospect Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later to Baltimore.
Rutschman is a three-time All-Star and one of the best defensive catchers in the game, and he’s under contract through the 2027 season.
Ryan Jeffers contract projections from different sources MLB Trade Rumors: 4 years $75 million ESPN: 3 years $51 million FanGraphs: 3 years $48 million Spotrac: 3 years $40 million #MNTwins https://t.co/Gkg12zJShN
— SleeperTwins (@SleeperMLBTwins) November 12, 2026
If the season started today, he’d be Boston’s starter, with Connor Wong likely backing him up and Riley Adams, who already signed with the club this offseason, next in line.
That’s what makes the Jeffers interest so interesting.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow hasn’t been shy about surprising moves, and a Jeffers signing would be another one.
Top Catcher On Market
Jeffers is widely viewed as the best catcher available this winter in a thin market at the position.
The 29-year-old was off to a huge start in 2026, slashing .295/.408/.541 through his first 37 games before fracturing his left hamate bone on May 18, which cost him nearly two months.
He still finished with a very strong season overall, hitting .256/.353/.461 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs in 92 games, good for a 128 wRC+ and 2.6 fWAR.
The bat is the main selling point, as his defense behind the plate has graded out well below average, which is part of why some see him fitting in a catcher/DH role.
There’s also a real cost to signing him.
NEWS Ryan Jeffers has declined the $23.15 million qualifying offer from the #MNTwins (per Bobby Nightengale) He is now officially a free agent and the Twins will receive draft compensation if he signs with another team https://t.co/qwQ3qyCkdk
— SleeperTwins (@SleeperMLBTwins) November 12, 2026
The Twins extended Jeffers a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer, so any team that signs him after he declines it will give up a draft pick.
He's been projected to land a two-to-five-year deal in the $12 million to $18 million range per season.
Minnesota hasn’t given up on him either.
“We’re engaged and definitely have real genuine interest in a reunion,” Twins GM Jeremy Zoll said.
Jeffers has until November 17 at 4 p.m. ET to accept or decline the qualifying offer.
