One Team Has Stopped Bugging the MN Twins for Trade

This offseason will go one of two ways for the Minnesota Twins. The latest reports suggest that the front office has no interest in trading any of the star trio including Pablo Lopez, Byron Buxton, or Joe Ryan.

If true, it would be a groundbreaking moment in Twins history, given how grim things looked just last week. But if Minnesota isn’t going to deal their best players, does that mean they are buyers?

Are the Minnesota Twins now offseason buyers?

That would seemingly be the assumption, but some of us need to see that happen before we will believe it. Because that reality includes a Pohlad family willing to open their pocketbook, and we all know how that usually goes.

But you don’t keep those three players, just to run it back with a depleted group of position players and absolutely no bullpen to speak of. There’s a reason the Minnesota Twins lost 92 games last season.

Expecting to win in 2026 with a watered-down version of that roster will not rally possible ticket buyers or Twins.TV subscribers. But there is one hope that gives Rosenthal’s shocking report from the Winter Meetings more credence.

Boston Red Sox appear out on Joe Ryan

We now know one of the minority investors being brought in to save the Twins from financial downfall, under the Pohlads. And whether it is related or not, it now sounds like the Boston Reds Sox are backing off on their pursuit for starting pitcher Joe Ryan.

Ryan has been the apple of Boston’s eye since this past summer, when they nearly plucked him out of Minnesota before the trade deadline. Now, according to Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford, Beantown is no longer interested in the 29-year-old righty.

This could change, but wanted to offer up-to-the-minute update

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 8, 2025

Ryan is coming off the first All-Star Game appearance of his career. He posted a 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP) and bounced back from the teres major strain that ended his 2024 season.

What’s next for MN Twins?

If Minnesota cares about competing in 2026, then dealing a star pitcher set to make around $6 million makes little sense. Then again, carrying a payroll around $100 million doesn’t make much sense either.

Regardless of how the MN Twins convey intentions to the media, they’ll never stop listening to proposals. Falvey wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t answer the phone. But if Minnesota does indeed keep Ryan, along with Buxton and Lopez, then spending is really the only option, even if it isn’t significant.

Reports have suggested that Ryan could be a target for teams, beyond Boston, including for the New York Mets. In fact, the Mets have shown interest in Byron Buxton as well.