The Minnesota Twins and Joe Ryan reached an agreement on his contract.
The Minnesota Twins resolved one of their final offseason matters by reaching a contract agreement with right-hander Joe Ryan as spring training approaches. The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his MLB career and entered the winter in the middle of a closely watched arbitration case.
His performance in 2025, paired with his growing importance to the starting rotation, made his salary figure one of the more notable negotiations on Minnesota’s agenda.
Ryan filed for $6.35 million, while the Twins countered at $5.85 million. The difference was small enough to suggest a settlement was possible but large enough that a hearing remained on the table.
With both sides preparing for that possibility, the situation carried a bit of tension for a pitcher who has become central to Minnesota’s long-term plans.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the two sides ultimately agreed to a $6.1 million salary for 2026 on Monday, which lands directly at the midpoint. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2027 worth $13 million, along with a $100,000 buyout that Ryan will receive next winter.
The agreement avoids the need for an arbitration hearing and gives the Twins clarity with one of their most valuable arms. Ryan is coming off a standout 2025 season in which he posted a 13–10 record, a 3.42 ERA, 194 strikeouts and 171 innings.
He earned his first All-Star selection and continued to show the command, durability and strikeout ability that have defined his rise since arriving from Tampa Bay Rays in the Nelson Cruz trade. His consistency has made him a stabilizing force for a rotation that has seen significant turnover in recent years.
For Minnesota, the deal provides stability at a time when the pitching staff is still taking shape. Ryan remains under team control through 2027, and the mutual option gives both sides flexibility as his value continues to rise. Mutual options are rarely exercised, but the structure offers Ryan a small financial boost while allowing the Twins to revisit long-term discussions later if both sides see a fit.
With pitchers and catchers set to report soon, the timing of the agreement allows Ryan to enter camp without the distraction of arbitration. The Twins, meanwhile, secure one of their foundational pieces as they prepare for another push in the American League Central, hoping Ryan can anchor the rotation once again in 2026.