Latest news with #RyanJeffers
New York Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Twins players grapple with potential roster breakup as trade deadline looms
DENVER — Ryan Jeffers is on high alert these days for several reasons. On a personal level, the Twins catcher is prepared for the possibility of needing to immediately leave the club for the birth of his son. On a professional level, Jeffers recognizes the Twins clubhouse could very soon feature a much different look with the trade deadline looming. Advertisement Though they're not out of the playoff picture yet, the Twins already are in a much worse spot than they were three days ago. Even with a 7-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Sunday afternoon, the Twins remain five games back in the wild-card race with five teams to pass. Whereas in previous years the division was still in reach, this season is markedly different in Jeffers' opinion because the first-place Detroit Tigers are running away with the American League Central. The combination of the team's disappointing play at Colorado this weekend and an ever-widening gap — the Twins are 11 games behind the Tigers — isn't lost on a group of players wondering how different the roster could look after the July 31 trade deadline. 'You never want to say you expect to sell,' Jeffers said. 'We're still going out and trying to win baseball games. We're not flipping the page to next year as players. We're trying to win baseball games no matter who's in this locker room, no matter who's here, who gets traded away. But I think we understand the reality there's a real chance we have a different locker room in 10 days.' When it comes to trade talk and rumors, the Twins are a hot topic for pundits and scouts. There's plenty of intrigue surrounding a roster full of helpful impending free agents and talented players with multiple seasons of team control who could bring monster returns if traded. Beyond that, it's natural to wonder whether it's time for the Twins to break up a core of position players who — the 2023 run aside — haven't broken through to make the impact the front office hoped when it assembled the group. With the team centered around three players with extended injury histories in Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis, speculation surrounding the Twins is whether they'd consider moving Joe Ryan, Griffin Jax or Jhoan Duran to bring in a haul of fresh talent. Advertisement As good as players are about staying focused, trade chatter is unavoidably creeping into the clubhouse, and some Twins players are in places they've never been before. 'I don't know what's going to happen,' Correa said. 'I know there's a lot of talks about the team and selling. I really don't know how that works out because I've never been part of a team that's trying to sell. It's definitely very different.' Willi fast, Willi scored! — Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 20, 2025 Willi Castro doesn't want to wind up in a different environment. He has thoroughly loved his time in Minnesota, where he revived his career. Given the choice, Castro forever would stay with the Twins, who signed him to a minor-league deal before the 2023 season. But the Twins' 2024 most valuable player is likely to be the impending free agent most sought after by contending clubs, a speedy utilityman with pop from both sides of the plate. 'I want to be a Twin for the rest of my life,' Castro said. 'If they want to trade me, I guess I've got to go. You don't control that. I know there are some other teams that are fighting. But whatever happens, happens. I'm going to be sad if they trade me, of course. But I don't really think about that. I just go out there and get my job done, and that's about it.' Among the impending free agents, the Twins are almost certain to receive strong interest in lefty reliever Danny Coulombe and outfielder Harrison Bader, who is defending like a Gold Glover and having his best season at the plate since 2021. Even though Chris Paddack is carrying a 5.14 ERA and striking out 6.4 hitters per nine innings, he should draw interest, and Ty France could, too. Though the free agents could bring back interesting players, the biggest potential paydays would be attached to names like Ryan, Duran or Jax. The All-Star Ryan has one-plus seasons left until free agency, and Duran and Jax aren't eligible until after the 2027 campaign. Advertisement Though Lewis offered one caveat, he believes the Twins are unlikely to do anything major. 'Unless other teams come in with some mind-blowing offers that make sense for the Twins to do,' Lewis said. 'I think everything is kind of just going to be the same. … Continue to win series and look up at the end of the year and be in the postseason and give yourself a chance.' Correa echoed a similar sentiment. But he also noted the Twins need to quickly discover a level of play they've been unable to maintain. 'The bottom line is we gotta play better baseball, and we haven't been able to do that consistently,' Correa said. 'There's 60-some games left, and we gotta figure out a way to put ourselves in a better position. And everybody in this clubhouse, coaching staff, everybody in here, we gotta do better. We're not doing a good job.' Facing two clocks, Jeffers recognizes time is running out. His wife, Lexi, is nearing her July 28 due date, which prompted Mickey Gasper to be added to the taxi squad in case Jeffers needs to leave the club while the Twins are on the West Coast. After Saturday's loss, Jeffers said the Twins need to climb an ever-steepening mountain to avoid a roster breakup. In the previous three seasons, the Twins always had a chance to win the division, which seems impossible this season. Though he thinks the talent assembled can do the job if it gets on a roll, he knows the chances to turn things around are fading. 'There's just the realities of how big those gaps can get because there's (only) so many games,' Jeffers said. 'But at the same token, the Tigers were in the same spot we're in last year, seemingly out of the playoffs, and came back and put together a really good second half after selling. Just because you sell some players and reshuffle the organization doesn't mean you can't go out there and win a lot of baseball games and make things interesting down the stretch.' (Photo of Ryan Jeffers: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)
San Francisco Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Minnesota Twins beat Chicago Cubs 4-2, but Buxton injures hand
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Correa each had an RBI as the Minnesota Twins scored a pair of first-inning runs for the second straight game in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. Matt Wallner added a solo homer for the Twins in the third, which proved to be enough for right-hander David Festa (3-3), who went 5 1/3 innings and allowed a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Minnesota's bullpen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Closer Jhoan Duran, who was unavailable Tuesday due to illness, earned his 14th save of the season. The Twins lost All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton to injury. Buxton was hit in the hand in the first inning. He remained in the game initially but came out in the second inning. The Twins announced Buxton suffered a left hand contusion. Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-3) didn't make it through the fifth inning. He was lifted after 4 2/3 innings and surrendered four runs on six hits. It's the third time in his last four starts he failed to complete five innings. The Twins added an insurance run in the fourth when Royce Lewis scored while Wallner extended a rundown between first and second base just long enough for Lewis to cross home plate. The extent of Buxton's injury remains to be seen but if it keeps him out for a significant amount of time, it would be costly. It could also mean Buxton won't participate in the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend in his home state of Georgia. Key stat Before scoring in the first inning, Buxton stole his 17th base of the season, making him 17 for 17 on steal attempts this season. Up next RHP Colin Rea (6-3, 4.13 ERA) will pitch the series finale for the Cubs, while Minnesota counters with RHP Chris Paddack (3-7, 4.64). ___
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Twins All-Star Byron Buxton leaves game after hit-by-pitch on hand, putting his ASG, Home Run Derby status in doubt
Minnesota Twins All-Star Byron Buxton left Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs after being hit in the hand with a pitch, putting his status for next week's Home Run Derby and All-Star Game in doubt. Buxton appeared to avoid serious injury. Initial X-rays on his hand came back negative, and he was initially diagnosed with a contusion on his left hand, the Twins announced. He's listed as day-to-day. It's not clear if he'll undergo further diagnostic imaging. Advertisement The injury takes place five days before Buxton is slated to compete in the Home Run Derby, which is scheduled for Monday in Atlanta (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). Buxton was also selected as a reserve for his second career All-Star Game, which will take place on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, FOX). His injury leaves his status for both events in doubt. The injury took place in the bottom of the first inning in the first Twins at-bat of the game. A 98 mph fastball from Cubs starter Cade Horton sailed high and inside and hit Buxton on the top of his left hand, which was covered by protective padding. Buxton initially remained in the game after an on-field exam of his hand. He stole second base after being awarded first via the hit-by-pitch. He came around to score on a single by Ryan Jeffers. But he did not return to the game for his next scheduled at bat in the second inning. Brooks Lee pinch hit for Buxton and took his place in the lineup. Advertisement The Twins went on to a 4-2 win to improve to 45-47, 13 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central and three games behind the Seattle Mariners in the race for the final AL wild-card spot. Buxton is in the middle of a standout season at 31 years old. In a career that's been plagued by injuries, Buxton's played in 74 of Minnesota's 92 games, putting him on pace for the second-most games played in any season of his 11-season MLB career. Through Wednesday, he's slashing .270/.335/.544 with 20 home runs and 53 RBI. With Wednesday's stolen base, he's now 17 for 17 in stolen-base attempts. His home-run total before the All-Star break is already the third-highest of his career and eight short of tying his career high. Advertisement Buxton and the Twins are certainly hoping he can return to the lineup sooner than later and in time for next week's All-Star festivities.
Hamilton Spectator
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Minnesota Twins beat Chicago Cubs 4-2, but Buxton injures hand
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Correa each had an RBI as the Minnesota Twins scored a pair of first-inning runs for the second straight game in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. Matt Wallner added a solo homer for the Twins in the third, which proved to be enough for right-hander David Festa (3-3), who went 5 1/3 innings and allowed a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Minnesota's bullpen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Closer Jhoan Duran, who was unavailable Tuesday due to illness, earned his 14th save of the season. The Twins lost All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton to injury. Buxton was hit in the hand in the first inning. He remained in the game initially but came out in the second inning. The Twins announced Buxton suffered a left hand contusion. Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-3) didn't make it through the fifth inning. He was lifted after 4 2/3 innings and surrendered four runs on six hits. It's the third time in his last four starts he failed to complete five innings. The Twins added an insurance run in the fourth when Royce Lewis scored while Wallner extended a rundown between first and second base just long enough for Lewis to cross home plate. Key moment The extent of Buxton's injury remains to be seen but if it keeps him out for a significant amount of time, it would be costly. It could also mean Buxton won't participate in the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend in his home state of Georgia. Key stat Before scoring in the first inning, Buxton stole his 17th base of the season, making him 17 for 17 on steal attempts this season. Up next RHP Colin Rea (6-3, 4.13 ERA) will pitch the series finale for the Cubs, while Minnesota counters with RHP Chris Paddack (3-7, 4.64). ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Minnesota Twins beat Chicago Cubs 4-2, but Buxton injures hand
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Correa each had an RBI as the Minnesota Twins scored a pair of first-inning runs for the second straight game in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. Matt Wallner added a solo homer for the Twins in the third, which proved to be enough for right-hander David Festa (3-3), who went 5 1/3 innings and allowed a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Minnesota's bullpen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Closer Jhoan Duran, who was unavailable Tuesday due to illness, earned his 14th save of the season. The Twins lost All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton to injury. Buxton was hit in the hand in the first inning. He remained in the game initially but came out in the second inning. The Twins announced Buxton suffered a left hand contusion. Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-3) didn't make it through the fifth inning. He was lifted after 4 2/3 innings and surrendered four runs on six hits. It's the third time in his last four starts he failed to complete five innings. The Twins added an insurance run in the fourth when Royce Lewis scored while Wallner extended a rundown between first and second base just long enough for Lewis to cross home plate. Key moment The extent of Buxton's injury remains to be seen but if it keeps him out for a significant amount of time, it would be costly. It could also mean Buxton won't participate in the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend in his home state of Georgia. Key stat Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Before scoring in the first inning, Buxton stole his 17th base of the season, making him 17 for 17 on steal attempts this season. Up next RHP Colin Rea (6-3, 4.13 ERA) will pitch the series finale for the Cubs, while Minnesota counters with RHP Chris Paddack (3-7, 4.64). ___ AP MLB:
