Joe Ryan and the Minnesota Twins did not come to an agreement on Thursday.
The Minnesota Twins are looking to remain competitive in the American League Central heading into the 2026 MLB season, despite trading much of their core at last year’s deadline. Even so, the team held on to some key pieces, including right-hander Joe Ryan, who has emerged as one of baseball’s best pitchers.
After earning his first All-Star nod in his fifth season with the organization, the 29-year-old entered salary negotiations for 2026 with leverage. Those talks stalled, leaving him and the Twins without a deal. Minnesota reached agreements with six other arbitration-eligible players, yet Ryan was not among them.
“The Twins reached deals with all of their arbitration eligible players except for Joe Ryan, who appears headed for an arbitration hearing,” reported Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Ryan Jeffers, Bailey Ober, Royce Lewis, Cole Sands, Trevor Larnach and Alex Jackson all agreed to one-year contracts before Thursday’s deadline to exchange figures. Ryan and the Twins, however, did not settle, meaning his 2026 salary will most likely be determined by an arbitration panel. He is not eligible for MLB free agency until after the 2027 season.
The figures exchanged illustrate the gap. The Twins offered $5.85 million, while Ryan filed for $6.35 million. If the case proceeds, the panel will select one number, which will become his salary for the year.
Teams and players are technically allowed to continue negotiating after the deadline, but many clubs treat it as a cutoff and proceed directly to hearings.
The Twins are among those clubs, which means Ryan’s one-year salary will be decided in arbitration. Team policy does not prevent them from exploring a multi-year deal later.
Ryan is coming off his best season in the league. He went 13–10 with a career-best 3.42 ERA and 194 strikeouts across 171 innings.
Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, Ryan has developed into a dependable arm. His fastball characteristics, command and durability have made him a fixture of the rotation.
The uncertainty also raises questions about Ryan’s long-term future in Minnesota, fueling speculation about whether the Twins might eventually consider trading their ace for a significant return.
The organization has stated it does not intend to trade its best players, but Ryan’s unresolved contract situation adds intrigue.
As he enters his prime, his value to the club is undeniable, and how this arbitration plays out will shape both his future and the team’s outlook in 2026.