Minnesota Twins Open to Trading Joe Ryan…?

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox are among the most popular teams, not just in Major League Baseball, but in the entire sports world. Unlike our Minnesota Twins, the Red Sox are one of a few MLB organizations with the 2025 financial wherewithal to spend out on both the free agent and trade markets.

That brings us to Joe Ryan, who should be an All-Star this season based off his incredible 2025 statline — 2.76 ERA (3.25 FIP) and a 116/21 K/BB across 104 1/3 innings. Instead, Joe was snubbed in the first round of AL All-Star selections, meaning he’ll have to wait for at least on starter to bow out before he gets a call.

Previously lined up to start Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and sophomore phenom Paul Skenes, who has already been named to his second NL All-Star roster, both Ryan and Skenes have been bumped to Friday, likely foreshadowing Joe’s imminent All-Star invite.

Boston, other teams interested in trading for Minnesota Twins starter

But while Ryan may not be officially wanted yet in Atlanta, he’s reportedly a coveted trade target 1,000 miles to the northeast, where the Boston Red Sox and multiple other MLB teams have been calling the Minnesota Twins, in hopes they are open to dealing their fast-rising 29-year-old No. 2 starter.

“The man that the Red Sox, and a number of teams in the major leagues are monitoring at the least right now, Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins. Ryan has been excellent so far this season. The hitters of the American League, it’s as if they’re saying this aggression will not stand, man. And yet, he keeps going, he keeps ramping it up. I think he’s one of the best starting pitchers in the American League and he’s only getting better.”

Jon Morosi – MLB Network

Right now the MN Twins are 44-47, and they’ve been playing better baseball over the past week. At this point, they could still hit the All-Star break with a record of .500 or better.

But the real test will come in the days between when players return from the mid-summer classic and the July 31 trade deadline, which are less than two weeks apart. Should they decide to put up a For Sale sign, other teams better bring their checkbooks if they want to discuss Joe Ryan.

If the Red Sox, or any other team around the league, think the Twins are just going to hand over top talent like Ryan without requiring a massive haul in return, however, then they are in for a rude awakening over the next few weeks.

Nonetheless, if the MN Twins slide out of playoff contention before the trade deadline and the Red Sox are willing to pony up a trade package that Derek Falvey can’t say no to… then according to Jon Morosi (MLB Network) the Twins president might indeed be open to dealing Ryan, who’s due to hit free agency after the 2027 season.

Minnesota is paying Ryan just $3 million this season. Being he still has 2.5 seasons remaining of team control, the package coming back from Boston (or anywhere else) would have to be massive. Joe Ryan’s 2.4 fWAR is 16th among all major league pitchers.

Morosi, Red Sox fans in for trade deadline reality check

If the Twins are going to deal Joe, they’ll need a lot more in return than Jaren Duran, who during his MLB Network hit this morning, Morosi suggested as part of a Ryan return out of Boston. Joe would be a legitimate playoff starter on any contending team hungry enough to pay up for his services.

But as you can see over on Red Sox Twitter, Morosi set up fan expectations for quite the reality check, should this deal get done. Because this afternoon, baseball fans in the Boston area have no idea what it would really take to get the Twins to bite on a Joe Ryan trade.

The idea that the Twins would want Jaren Duran in exchange for Joe Ryan is laughable. They are roughly the same age, but unlike Ryan, Duran has regressed this season. His .259/.315/.427 slash line equates to a 104 OPS+, which is virtually a reflection of Matt Wallner (who is two years younger).

Boston fans want to move Duran because he’s been disappointing. Sorry to be the person who has to break the bad news… but that is not the type of player Minnesota will be looking for, in return for one of the best eight starters in Major League Baseball.

Related: MN Twins Youngsters Seeing Light at End of Injury Tunnel

If the Red Sox are going to pique the Twins’ interest, they need to start with top-end talents like Roman Anthony or Marcelo Mayer. That could seem like a jarring level of compensation to those in the New England area who don’t know any better. Since the injury of Pablo Lopez, Joe has single-handedly carried the MN Twins starting rotation.

But this is the same Minnesota Twins front office that landed Joe Ryan at the trade deadline out of Tampa Bay, in exchange for a half season of then 41-year-old Nelson Cruz. Falvey also traded Jose Berrios for both Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson that offseason.

With plenty of control remaining, the Minnesota Twins aren’t overly motivated to trade their second-best pitcher, especially when their ace is hurt. So good luck to the Red Sox because they’re going to need it during these trade talks.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.