LAS VEGAS — Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll spoke to reporters on Monday and Tuesday at the GM Meetings, making it clear both times that the team would like to retain Ryan Jeffers regardless of whether the free agent catcher intends to accept or decline their $23.15 million qualifying offer on November 17.
In fact, Zoll revealed, the Twins have been in contact with Jeffers' representatives already rather than waiting for his decision next week, which is notable given the widely held assumption across baseball that the top catcher on the market would turn down the qualifying offer in search of a multi-year contract.