Joe Ryan’s Future With the Minnesota Twins Takes a New Turn

Joe Ryan's future with the Minnesota Twins is still up in the air, and the trade market around pitchers like him just got a bit more complicated.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on X that players with one year of control remaining are unlikely to be moved for prospects this month because of uncertainty surrounding the 2027 season.

Morosi named Ryan alongside Logan Gilbert of the Mariners and Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins as players in that category. He added that clubs could look at player-for-player trades involving players approaching free agency as a way to balance the risk on both sides.

Minnesota declined its side of Ryan's $13 million mutual option for 2027, but that does not make him a free agent. He is expected to go through salary arbitration for one final season before reaching free agency after 2027.

The Twins have a decision to make on whether to keep him as a rotation piece heading into next year or explore a market that, according to Morosi, may not deliver the prospect return they would want.

Ryan finished 2026 with a 7-10 record, a 3.79 ERA and 159 strikeouts across 144 2/3 innings. He also posted a 1.161 WHIP. He earned his second consecutive AL All-Star selection despite an inconsistent second half.

A left glute strain landed him on the injured list in August. He returned though on September 7 and closed the season with eight strikeouts over six innings against the Texas Rangers.

The Twins ultimately missed the postseason last year and this offseason they must pick a direction. Keeping Ryan means going into 2027 with a strong rotation piece but risking potentially losing him for nothing after the season. Trading him means navigating a market where, at least right now, teams are not lining up to give prospects for one-year rentals.

MLB and the Players Association are operating under a collective bargaining agreement that is about to expire, with a lockout looming if a new deal is not reached before the deadline on December 1.

Teams are reluctant to make major commitments or aggressive trades until they know what the next CBA looks like. The uncertainty is freezing activity across the league, and Ryan’s situation is caught in the middle of it.

For the Twins, Ryan is one of the best players on a roster that did not win enough games last year. What he is worth on the market, and whether Minnesota can find a deal that makes moving him worthwhile, will be one of the most important developments to follow this winter.