Another Suitor Emerges for MN Twins’ Top Trade Asset

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Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

At this point of the MLB offseason, narratives around the Minnesota Twins have focused more on who they will lose, rather than than any talent they might add. At the top of the rumor mill list has been starting pitcher, Joe Ryan, who was almost traded over the summer to the Boston Red Sox.

The Twins’ owners are down so bad they reportedly need to trade some of the top talent currently on roster, whether that be Ryan, Byron Buxton and/or Pablo Lopez. Again, the Red Sox appear interested in making a move on Ryan, even after they added his former teammate Sonny Gray to the rotation last week.

But on Thursday, another Joe Ryan suitor emerged through the pile of trade steam currently floating through the atmosphere of Major League Baseball.

New York Mets coming for Joe Ryan?

And if there’s one team that Ryan could end up on that would change everything he knows about being a big leaguer, it’s the New York Mets and their super-rich baseball-loving owner, Steve Cohen, who in his short time as an MLB owner has already proven himself to be baseball’s anti-Pohlad.

The NL East superteam has endless amounts of money, And according to Jon Heyman (NY Post), Joe Ryan could be on the Mets’ latest list of offseason targets, as they attempt to build up a pitching staff that can compete in the playoffs with the World Series-winning LA Dodgers.

The Mets may try to fill their rotation needs via trade, and they are stocked with outstanding prospects. Joe Ryan is among starters of interest to the Mets. The Twins are believed to like Jonah Tong.

Jon Heyman – New York Post

It’s not shocking that the Mets would have interest in Joe Ryan. Heck, the MN Twins should have interest in Joe Ryan. Unfortunately, his modest salary jump this season, via arbitration, is something the Pohlads don’t believe they can afford.

Ryan, 29, is projected to make something just shy of $6 million for 2026, which is a heck of a lot less than what he would demand on the open market. Fangraphs has Joe at 3.1 fWAR in 2025, which is worth $25 million in production. In fact, Joe Ryan has never provided less than $17.3 million in fWAR value during a full MLB season.

In 31 games for the Twins last year, Ryan owned a 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP) and made his first All-Star Game, though his production did trail off toward the end of the season. The 2018 7th round pick out of Cal State Northridge will not hit free agency for two more season.

Ryan could land haul for Minnesota Twins

He will not hit that deadline with the Minnesota Twins, whether his departure happens now, at the trade deadline or next offseason. Unfortunately, losing Joe Ryan is a matter of “when” not “if”… unless the Pohlads sell before he is dealt. But don’t hold your breath.

Although he will be 30 next season, Ryan would demand a haul, if traded sometime this offseason. Next year, he’ll be eligible for another raise via arbitration that will likely come in near $15 million.

The New York Mets have a plethora of prospects that could interest the Twins. Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong — who Heyman specifically mentioned as having Falvey’s eye — are all pitcher prospects ready for the big leagues. Both Carson Benge and Jett Williams could factor into a deal, as well.

Minnesota absolutely must capitalize on whatever return they receive for Ryan if he is moved. While both Pablo Lopez and Byron Buxton have significant trade value as well, they have hefty contracts that start to minimize the return the Twins might be able to get.

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