Twins extend qualifying offer to catcher Ryan Jeffers

The Minnesota Twins have officially extended a qualifying offer to catcher Ryan Jeffers, according to multiple baseball writers. The one-year, $23.15 million contract is set to expire on November 17th. The offer includes eight other players, with the deadline for acceptance being November 17th as well. The qualifying offer is calculated based on the average of the top 125 MLB salaries.

If Jeffers declines the offer, he would remain a free agent and eligible to negotiate with any team. However, the team that signs him will forfeit a draft pick, while the team losing the player will gain one pick. The Twins would receive a pick immediately following the first round if Jeffers signs with another team for more than $50 million, while if he signs for $50 million or less, the pick would fall after the second round.

Jeffers is currently the highest paid catcher in baseball by nearly $6 million, but a one-year deal also poses risks. The Twins would receive a significant first-round pick if Jeffers signs elsewhere, receiving a better financial outcome in the long run.