The Minnesota Twins are smart to keep Joe Ryan.
The Minnesota Twins have received significant trade interest in right-handed starting pitcher Joe Ryan, but moving their 29-year-old right-hander would be counterproductive to everything the organization is trying to build heading into 2026. Ryan has been a stabilizing force in Minnesota’s rotation since debuting in 2021, and his 2025 All-Star campaign strengthened the case that he should be part of its long-term core.
The Twins face tough payroll decisions this winter, as is the case for most AL Central teams, but dealing away arguably their most consistent starter would create more problems than it solves if the goal is truly to win games next season.
Across 31 starts last season, Ryan delivered a 3.42 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 171 innings, striking out 194 batters. This was good for 4.5 WAR and the first All-Star appearance of his career. Opponents hit just .218 against him, and his strikeout rate was elite at 28.2%.
In 641.1 career innings, Ryan owns a 3.79 ERA, 719 strikeouts, and a WHIP just above 1.06. Ryan is under club control through 2027, giving Minnesota cost-controlled value at a time when even mid-tier pitching is expensive.
This is why, according to MLB.com, the Twins have no intention of trading Ryan this winter despite league-wide interest. With Pablo López also in the fold, Ryan completes a duo that aims to keep Minnesota competitive in a division where the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers are a tier above the rest.
Ryan’s durability also stands out. He has tallied at least 29 starts in three straight seasons, with no major injury setbacks. Trading him would leave Minnesota without anywhere close to a clear replacement.
The AL Central race was tight at the top last season, and the Twins were unable to keep pace. Cleveland won the division at 88-74, edging Detroit by a single game after overcoming a 15.5 game deficit. Kansas City finished third at 82–80, while Minnesota stumbled to a 70-92 record which was a frustrating year for a club that expected to be a lot more competitive.
The Twins’ struggles stemmed largely from injuries. Even with Ryan turning in one of the strongest seasons of his career, Minnesota lacked the stability needed to stay afloat in a division that proved better at the top than most expected. That said, this isn’t the AL East. Neither Cleveland nor Detroit are in the upper tier of World Series favorites, which makes it more reasonable for Minnesota to keep its talent and go for a postseason spot in 2026.