Ahead of the MLB trade deadline, one team that has several popular names across the league is the Minnesota Twins.

More specifically, the two top teams in the American League East in the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees are interested in several Minnesota players, something that could turn trade talks into a bidding war.

Yankees and Rays scouting Twins players over the weekend

According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, scouts from both Tampa Bay and New York have been at Wrigley Field over the weekend scouting the Twins, with three specific players getting the attention.

"Scouts from the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays were at Wrigley Field over the weekend to closely watch Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, starter Joe Ryan and outfielder Trevor Larnach," Nightengale wrote.

Both teams desperately need catching help

Entering Sunday, the Yankees and Rays have both struggled with production from their catchers this season. In Wins Above Average, Tampa Bay ranks 22nd (0.3) while New York ranks 26th (0.0).

Pitching and outfield production has both teams in the top half of the league, likely making the need for catching help a top priority for each organization.

Ryan Jeffers certainly fits the bill

Jeffers is a name that the Yankees have been paired with in rumors throughout the season. He's in the midst of a career season, entering Sunday with a career-best slash line of .292/.402/.547, good for a .950 OPS with eight home runs and a 2.0 WAR.

Jeffers did miss two months of action with a broken hamate bone is his left hand, but he seems healthy, hitting .267 with a homer and five RBI in four games since returning.

If the Twins fall out of playoff contention, they will have every opportunity to drive up the asking price for all aforementioned players that both New York and Tampa Bay will be bidding for.