Jeff Passan's latest update links Rangers to exciting star who may displace fan favorite

ESPN published an updated ranking of the top MLB trade deadline candidates from Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan on Monday morning. The MLB insiders listed Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers at No. 21, with the Texas Rangers among the best fits for the star. The other teams listed as fits for Jeffers are the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Diego Padres.

Obviously, it'd be very exciting to see Texas acquire Jeffers. The 29-year-old catcher has been on the injured list with a fractured left hamate bone since May 19, but began a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul last weekend. It's safe to say Jeffers appears ready to be reinstated, as the catcher went 5-for-11 with one home run and one double over three games with the Saints.

Before landing on the IL, Jeffers looked on his way to making his first career All-Star appearance, slashing an outstanding .295/.408/.541 (165 wRC+) with seven home runs and 26 RBI over 37 games. Defensively, he has +1 Block Above Average, +1 Framing Run, and has won 22 of 36 ABS challenges.

Even though he has been out for most of the year, Jeffers ranks fourth among AL catchers in fWAR (1.7). The Detroit Tigers' Dillon Dingler (4.0), Athletics' Shea Langeliers (2.2) and Baltimore Orioles' Adley Rutschman (2.0) are the only AL catchers worth more fWAR than Jeffers in 2026.

To sum it up nicely, Jeffers is one of the best catchers in the league if he continues where he left off upon returning from the IL. The Rangers need offensive help, as the club ranks 26th in MLB in runs with 376. Jeffers would likely be a major boost for Texas' lineup.

A Ryan Jeffers-Rangers trade would be the end of Elias Díaz's time with Texas

The one downside that would come with Texas acquiring Jeffers is that it could spell the end of fan-favorite Elias Díaz's tenure with the Rangers.

That may seem crazy, as Díaz has quickly become the Rangers' best catcher since joining the team roughly a month ago, slashing .290/.297/.452 (105 wRC+) with two homers, four doubles, and 11 RBI as an above-average defender. It'd be easy to let go of Kyle Higashioka since he's on an expiring contract, but Danny Jansen is set to make $8 million next year. It's hard to imagine the Rangers would be willing to pay the rest of Jansen's contract if he isn't on the team, even if they should.

Texas could attempt to trade Jansen in a salary-dump move, but he likely wouldn't garner much interest on the trade market. Jansen, who has been on the IL since early last month with a right forearm strain, has hit just .171/.277/.309 (69 wRC+) in 41 games this year.

With Díaz quickly becoming a key part of the Rangers' offense, the team may be inclined to acquire players who play positions other than catcher this trade deadline if they decide to buy.

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